Your hearing health

The do's and don'ts of ear cleaning

Last update on Nov, 13, 2022

How often do you think about cleaning your ears? While daily routines like washing your face or brushing your teeth are second nature, ear care often takes a backseat. If you do decide to clean your ears, you must be doing it the right way so that you’re not damaging the parts of your ear that are essential for helping you hear. Learn more about when to clean your ears, the best methods for cleaning your ears, and what can go wrong when you use the wrong tools.

Key Takeaways

Respect your ears’ natural cleaning process. Most ears are self-cleaning, with ear wax moving naturally outward to protect and moisturize the ear.
Avoid using tools like cotton swabs or bobby pins inside your ear canal. These can push wax deeper, cause blockages or even damage the eardrum.
Clean only the outer ear using a soft, damp washcloth. Never insert objects into the ear canal to prevent injury or infections.
For wax buildup that affects hearing or causes discomfort, seek professional care. Professionals can safely remove wax and check for underlying conditions.
Don’t over-clean ears, as it can disrupt their natural protective functions. Some earwax is necessary for maintaining healthy ears.
Be cautious with advanced tools like otoscope ear cleaners. When using these, follow instructions carefully or seek professional guidance to avoid harm.

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How often should you be cleaning your ears?

Unlike most parts of the body, your ears don’t need to be cleaned too often. In fact, they are self-cleaning, so you shouldn’t have to worry about maintaining them much at all. The earwax produced in your ears naturally works its way out over time. While some may see it as unsanitary, earwax is actually a sign of healthy ears. It moisturizes your ears, traps dust and dirt, and prevents harmful bacteria from reaching your inner ear.

While most people don’t need to worry about cleaning their ears, some people’s ears produce more than the normal amount of earwax or have earwax that is too hard. Having too much earwax can also affect your hearing by blocking the ear canal and preventing sound waves from coming through. In this case, getting your ears cleaned is the best way to improve your hearing.

Is cleaning your ears bad?

Cleaning your ears the wrong way can do more harm than good. Doctors warn against using cotton swabs and other tools, as they can push earwax deeper, risking blockages or even eardrum damage.¹ Despite this advice, many people continue to use these methods. Since ears clean themselves naturally, it’s best to leave them alone. If you’re worried about wax buildup, consult a healthcare professional for safe care.

What to do when you need to get your ears cleaned

Let your ears self-clean naturally: Most people do not need to clean their ears. The ear canal is designed to clean itself, moving wax out on its own.
Clean only the outer ear: Use a soft, damp cloth to gently clean the outer part of your ear. To prevent injuries or wax buildup, refrain from placing any objects inside the ear canal.
Use ear drops for wax cleaning: Over-the-counter ear drops can help soften and loosen built-up ear wax, making it easier to remove naturally.
Use an ear wax cleaning kit safely: Use with care and follow the instructions closely to prevent any harm to your ears.
Use an ear cleaning spray: Gentle ear cleaning sprays can help remove excess wax. However, consult a healthcare professional to ensure the product is safe for your needs.
Try ear irrigation under professional guidance: For significant wax buildup, a healthcare professional can safely perform ear cleaning irrigation to flush out the wax using warm water.
Use an ear cleaner with a camera (with proper guidance or professional supervision): Otoscopes with built-in cameras can connect to your smartphone, giving you a detailed view of your ear canal. However, it’s important to use them with caution and seek professional guidance to avoid injury.
Seek professional ear cleaning: If at-home methods don’t work for you or if you experience ear-related issues, consult a healthcare provider. They can safely remove earwax and check for any underlying conditions.

If you suspect you have excessive earwax in your ears, you can get your ears checked by a hearing care professional. They can examine your ears to see if earwax blockage is causing your hearing loss. Book an appointment with a hearing care professional at your local Miracle-Ear Hearing Center to get your ears checked today.

Care for your ears

One of the best ways to care for your ears and prevent hearing loss is to get them properly examined by a hearing professional. Find your nearest Miracle-Ear store to get started on your journey to better hearing.

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Cleaning an infant’s and a baby’s ears

Cleaning an infant’s ears is an important part of their hygiene, but it’s essential to approach it with caution to prevent harm. Babies have especially delicate ears that require a soft touch and minimal intervention.

Remember: earwax helps protect the ear canal by trapping dirt and preventing infections. For this reason, cleaning a baby’s ears on the inside is not necessary and should be avoided. A safer way is to focus only on the outer ear. During bath time, use a clean, damp washcloth to gently wipe the outer part of your child’s ear.

If you notice wax buildup causing discomfort, unusual discharge, or signs of infection like redness or swelling, consult your pediatrician. A healthcare professional can safely check and manage your baby’s ear hygiene if needed.

What to avoid when cleaning your ears

It can be hard to resist the urge to remove the wax from your ears, but you shouldn’t use any available object to clean your ears. Using the wrong tools to clean your ears can damage your middle and inner ear and cause hearing loss.

Some tools to avoid include:

Although cotton swabs are commonly used to dig out excessive earwax, they may actually do more harm than good. Cotton swabs can push earwax further into your ear and make it harder to remove. Plus, cotton swabs can damage the eardrums and cause painful ear infections. You can use cotton swabs to clean around your ears, but avoid using them to clean inside the ear canal.

Bobby pins may appear skinny enough to fit in your ears, but they are not meant to be used as ear cleaning devices. Stick to using your bobby pins to keep your hairstyles intact.

When it comes to keeping your ears clean, it’s important to keep your hands to yourself. Using your fingers to itch your ears or dig out any excessive earwax can push the wax further and lead to hearing problems.

Ear candling has become a popular solution for removing earwax over the years, but it is not a safe or proven method. In fact, ear candling can actually lead to serious injuries and even increase the risk of hearing loss.

Over-cleaning your ears can disrupt their natural ability to protect themselves. Stick to cleaning the outer ear gently and avoid attempting to remove wax from inside the ear canal.

If you have ear issues, such as infections, pain, or a surgical history, avoid cleaning your ears on your own. Instead, consult a healthcare professional for safe and effective care.

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Why does cleaning your ears feel good?

Cleaning your ears can feel oddly satisfying because of the sensitivity of the ear canal. This area is lined with delicate nerve endings that respond to touch, creating a pleasurable sensation. Even so, cotton swabs and other tools can harm your ears. Trusting your body’s natural self-cleaning process is the safest way to maintain ear health and avoid unnecessary risks.

Sources

^1.Sperling, Neil M., and William M. Portnoy. “To swab or not to swab: appropriate medical advice regarding self-ear-cleaning.” International Journal of Head and Neck Surgery 7.1 (2017): 1-4.