The Truth About Cotton Swabs and Ear Health

Cotton swabs can pose hidden dangers to ear health, while earwax plays an essential role in protecting your ears. This blog discusses safer ear cleaning tips and when to seek professional help. By the end, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how to care for your ears and avoid potential complications.

If you were asked to think of something you do that is almost irresistible, very common, but a bad idea that is based on health rumours and myths, what would it be?

One guess would be inserting cotton swabs into your ears as a cleaning tool, as they are common in almost every household in Ontario. They have a soft and harmless feeling, hence why we often reach for them the moment we feel some water or a build up of earwax stuck in our ear. 

Your ears are delicate, and taking care of them is important for long-term hearing health. Remember, there is a reason why makers of cotton swabs print this warning on their packaging: “Do not insert swabs into ear canal. Entering the ear canal could cause injury.” 

Despite frequent warnings from both professional medical personnel, many people still believe they are doing the right thing by removing earwax and other debris this way. However, is it really safe?

In short? No. 

The Purpose of Earwax

Earwax, also called “cerumen,” is a composite of waxy substance found in our ears produced by the ear canals. 

Aside from being a nuisance or sometimes being the cause of weird sensations in the ear, earwax acts as a:

• Waterproof lining for your ear canal.
• Defensive wall that traps dust, dirt, and debris that may damage the delicate structures of our ears. 
• An antibacterial and antifungal protection that prevents infections 
• Moisturization for the ear canal, to prevent dryness and irritation

Several medical researchers have revealed that earwax is naturally expelled from the ears as it moves outward, carrying with it trapped dead skin cells and other debris. The self-cleaning process ensures that the ear remains clear and functional without the need for invasive cleaning methods like cotton swabs.

The Impact of Cotton Swabs on Ear Health

It is a popular misconception that using cotton swabs is a medically approved and effective way to clean our ears. While this was what they were designed for some decades ago, medical specialists and related cases have proved that a seemingly harmless piece of cotton on a stick can cause adverse damage to your ear and even the brain. For example:

• Inserting cotton swabs into the ear can push earwax deeper into the ear canal rather than clearing it out. They often pack earwax tightly against the eardrum, leading to blockages that can cause discomfort and even temporary hearing loss.
• Beyond blockages, cotton swab ear cleaning poses a serious risk of injury. Naturally, our ear canals are lined with sensitive skin that can be easily damaged or scratched by swabs. In worst cases, accidental insertion too far into the ear can puncture the eardrum, thus causing sharp pain and long-term hearing issues.
• Cotton swab ear cleaning can introduce bacteria into the ear canal, raising the risks of infection. It is important to know that when bacteria are trapped alongside the earwax, it can create a perfect habitat for an infection to form, which may lead to permanent hearing loss if not detected or treated on time.

Given these risks, it’s clear that using cotton swabs for ear health is ineffective and very dangerous to your ears.

Safer Alternatives to Ear Cleaning with Cotton Swabs

If you feel that your ears are blocked, it may be due to an accumulation of excess earwax, which can make hearing difficult. When earwax builds up to this extent, it is referred to as an impaction. Other possible causes of ear blockage include a perforated eardrum, changes in pressure within the ear canal, or other medical conditions. 

Some symptoms in the affected ear includes:

• Ringing 
• Aching 
• Impaired hearing
• Dizziness
• Odour 

We have established the medical fact that cotton swabs are not ideal for ear health and earwax removal. The safest approach is to limit your cleaning efforts to the outer ear.

Here are some ear cleaning tips to use instead:

• Damp cloth: The outer ear can be gently wiped with a damp cloth to remove any visible dirt or debris, ensuring you don’t insert anything into the ear canal. This process keeps our ears clean without disturbing the body’s natural wax-removal process.
• Over-the-counter ear cleaning drops: If you feel like you have excess earwax buildup, over-the-counter ear cleaning drops can be a helpful solution. They contain properties such as mineral oil, peroxide, and saline that softens earwax and allows them to naturally work their way out. These ear drops are available at reputable hearing care centres and pharmacies, thus preventing the need of the cotton swabs ear cleaning approach.

When to See a Professional

Far beyond the dangers of cotton swab ear cleaning, it is important to know that earwax buildup can sometimes require professional treatment. If you experience sudden hearing loss, fluid drain, or persistent ear pain, it could be a sign that the wax has gotten deep into your ear canal. 

As well, you could experience other symptoms like tinnitus or dizziness. In addition to acute pains, you should also consult a professional if you have frequent ear blockages to get expert insights on ways to prevent recurrences.

For Ontarians, Hearing Solutions provides a personalized, yet professional ear cleaning and hearing assessment for various issues. Our team of expert audiologists can safely remove excess earwax and evaluate your hearing to be certain there are no prior or present complications. 

Rather than risk injury with cotton swabs ear health remedies, you can visit our clinic to receive safe and effective care.

Resist the Urge to Poke Around Your Ear

While it is always tempting to reach for cotton swabs, they cause more harm than good, leading to blockages, infections, or even permanent hearing damage. Instead, you should always embrace safer and medically approved methods like cleaning the outer ear, over-the-counter ear drops to soften wax, or leaving it to professionals.

If you are dealing with persistent ear issues, don’t wait until it gets severe! You need an immediate professional ear test from us. Contact Hearing Solutions at 1-888-811-9799 or book an appointment with our experts to get the personalized and effective care your ear deserves.

References 

Healthy Hearing. (n.d.). Swab hearing loss. https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/47773-Swab-hearing-loss

Cedars-Sinai. (n.d.). Is it really dangerous to clean my ears with cotton swabs? https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/is-it-really-dangerous-to-clean-my-ears-with-cotton-swabs.html#:~:text=Using%20a%20cotton%20swab%20like,ear%20drums%20and%20hearing%20loss

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Earwax. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000979.htm

Harvard Health Publishing. (2017, May 17). 3 reasons to leave earwax alone. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/3-reasons-to-leave-earwax-alone-2017051711718

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Earwax. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24624-earwax

Kent Hearing. (n.d.). Why you shouldn’t use cotton buds in your ears. https://kenthearing.com/why-you-shouldnt-use-cotton-buds-in-your-ears/

Banner Health. (n.d.). Earwax: Three reasons to put down the cotton swab. https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/earwax-three-reasons-to-put-down-the-cotton-swab

Silva, N. (n.d.). The hidden dangers of cotton swabs. https://nesilv.com/the-hidden-dangers-of-cotton-swabs/

Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). Got an ear full? Here’s some advice for ear wax removal. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/got-an-ear-full-heres-some-advice-for-ear-wax-removal

Healthline. (2020, September 14). How to clean your ears. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-your-ears

Medical News Today. (2019, December 17). How to clean your ears safely. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323024

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Ear wax buildup (blockage). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14428-ear-wax-buildup–blockage

Medical News Today. (2019, December 17). When to see a doctor for ear wax buildup. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323024#seeing-a-doctor

GrentPC. (n.d.). 3 signs you need a professional ear cleaning. https://grentpc.com/3-signs-you-need-a-professional-ear-cleaning/