Cotton swabs may seem harmless enough, but they can be dangerous when used to clean your ears. Although some people swear by using cotton swabs (Q-Tips) to remove excess wax and debris from their ear canals, medical experts will warn you not to try it. They have seen many catastrophes resulting from using cotton swabs. From punctured eardrums to super impacted wax, there are many negative consequences associated with “do-it-yourself” ear cleaning. It’s important to realize nothing should be placed inside the ear to remove dirt and debris. This is dangerous and could cause hearing loss or a damaged ear canal or eardrum.

Do we really have to clean our ears?

The answer is: yes and no. The outer ear or pinna benefits from a good cleaning every now and then. This can be accomplished with a little soap, water and a washcloth while you shower.

In most cases, the ear canal does not need to be cleaned. During hair washing or showers, enough water enters the ear canal to loosen the wax that has accumulated. Additionally, the skin in your ear canal naturally grows in an outward, spiral pattern. As it sloughs off, ear wax goes with it. Most of the time, the wax will loosen and fall out on its own while you are asleep. The need for a cotton swab isn’t necessary.

For those who have heavy wax build-up, a trip to the doctor may be needed. If you think wax could be affecting your hearing, contact our office. We can show you a live image of your ear canals, assess the situation, and determine the best course of action.

Content provided by HealthyHearing