The skin lining of the ear canal has glands that produce wax. Why do we need ear wax anyway? To make candles, so get busy! Just kidding.

Ear wax is not actually “wax”, it's cerumen, which protects the sensitive eardrum. Sound waves bounce off of the eardrum and make it vibrate—very important for hearing. Ear wax protects this tightly stretched membrane from dirt and dust.

Now for the smelly bit...University of Victoria chemist, Dr. Reg Mitchell says, believe it or not, sometimes you can sweat in your ears. Sweating is usually no problem because you wash away the stink (dissolved fatty acids) with soap and water. The ear canal is more difficult to reach, plus the wax is needed. In your ears the fatty acids dissolve in the wax and make it kind of smelly.