Why You Shouldn’t Clean Your Ears with a Cotton Swab – Audiology Associates

There are some people that swear by sticking a cotton swab (Q-Tip) into their ears to remove excess wax and debris. Anyone in the medical field can tell you, they have seen many catastrophes resulting from using cotton swabs. From punctured ear drums to super impacted wax, there are many negative consequences associated with “do-it-yourself” ear cleaning.
There are several items that people use to clean their ears. Some of the most interesting seen in the doctor’s office:
• Cotton Swabs (Q-Tips)
• Hair Pins
• Tweezers
• Pens and Pencils
• Straws
• Paper clips
• Children’s Toys
(CAUTION!!! It is important to understand that NOTHING should be placed inside the ear to remove dirt and debris. This is a dangerous practice that could leave a patient with hearing loss.)
The ear canal has specialized cells that produce cerumen, commonly known as ear wax. For some people, ear wax accumulates much faster than others. This can lead to wax build-up that causes decreased ability to hear and, in some instances, pain. The ear drum is easily reached with a swab. Because the ear drum is so delicate, it can be easily ruptured by using even the gentlest of pressure when using a swab. The pain is quite severe, and the ear may also leak a clear fluid. While a punctured ear drum will heal, it typically takes a while and can even lead to conductive hearing loss.
So this leaves us with the question, do we really need to clean out our ears? In most cases, the ear canal does not need to be cleaned. During hair washing or showers, enough water enters into the ear canal to loosen the wax that has accumulated. For those that have heavy wax build-up, a trip to the doctor may be needed. If this frequently becomes a problem, patients can ask their physicians for directions to do the procedure at home.
If you are experiencing wax or dirt build-up in your ears, please contact Audiology Associates. Kevin Bolder, Au.D. and John Davis, Au.D. can assist you in removing the build-up safely and effectively. Audiology Associates can be reached at 661-284-1900, visit our office at 25425 Orchard Village Road, Ste 220, Santa Clarita, CA 91355, or our website at www.AudiologyAssociates.net.
We are Hearing Healthcare Excellence!