3 Ear Cleaning Tips to Improve Your Hearing

Cleaning your ears may seem like a simple task, one that you have done a thousand or more times in your life. However, the majority of us could actually be doing it wrong. If you are one of the many people that use a Q-tip as part of your ear-cleaning regimen, you should consider revamping your routine.

According to numerous hearing experts, cleaning your ears with cotton swabs isn’t effective and can lead to problems in the long-term. Plus, in some cases, a little earwax is ideal.

Is Wax Good For Your Ear Health?

Most people view earwax as a disgusting gunk inside the ear that needs to be removed. However, in certain amounts, earwax presents several health benefits for you. Cerumen, the medical term for earwax, is meant to protect the ear by trapping dust and other particles that could enter and cause damage. It can also prevent dangerous infection-causing bacteria from traveling inside the ear.

When is Earwax a Problem?

When wax gets stuck or blocks the ear canal, it becomes an issue. According to a study published by HealthLine, when wax blocks the ear canal, it is referred to as earwax buildup and is one of the top causes of ear infections and hearing difficulties.

Occasionally, cleaning the inside of your ears is necessary. However, it may be difficult to navigate the dos and don’ts of ear hygiene. Below are tips to help you clean your ears effectively and safely.

1. Never Use Q-tips, Cotton Swabs or Other Foreign Objects

When individuals insert cotton swabs in the ear canal, the swabs push more wax further inside instead of removing it. In fact, cleaning your ears incorrectly puts you at a higher risk of developing painful ear conditions like the swimmer’s ear. In one study, 70 percent of those diagnosed with swimmer’s ear revealed that they had used cotton swabs to clean their ears in the weeks before their infection appeared.

2. When there is Excess Wax, You Can Help Coax it Out with Over-the-Counter Drops.

Not knowing the proper way to get rid of earwax could increase your chances of negatively impacting your hearing. Instead of inserting an object inside the ear and pushing wax further in, individuals should use special drops that help the wax come out naturally.

3. If You are Worried about Earwax Buildup, a Specialist can Remove it for You

If you don’t want to incorrectly clean your ears, you can go to an audiologist that can remove it for you. The process is simple and uses a device to “suck out” the wax from your ear. However, doing it too frequently can also cause problems. The ear is a natural self-cleaner, so a little bit of wax is beneficial for you.

If you have been cleaning your ears the wrong way, you aren’t alone. Thousands of people mistakenly believe that cotton swabs are the solution for earwax. However, wax is a normal vital part of the auditory system. When it does become a problem, you can use the above-mentioned tips to help you deal with it safely and efficiently.