4 Earwax Cleaning Facts

There are some common misconceptions about ear-cleaning methods. Most people do not know how to safely clean their ears. We’ve got a set of guidelines to clarify four of the top myths when it comes to cleaning your ears.

Use Cotton Swabs

Do NOT insert cotton swabs in your ear canals. They are more likely to damage your eardrums and your ear’s canals. Using a cotton swab actually pushes the earwax deeper into your ear. This could lead to impacted earwax or even puncturing your eardrum if your place too much pressure on it when inserting the swab. 

Ear Candling

There is a growing popularity among people who are pouring melted candle wax into their ears and then removing the wax, along with any earwax/debris in their ears. This can actually be more harmful. Instead of becoming solidified and gathering the earwax, the candle wax might end up getting stuck to your eardrums and ear canals. This would result in scraping the rest of the wax in a dangerous manner. Pouring hot candle wax on any part of your body can be painful and removing it can cause infections. 

Earwax Removal

Not all earwax buildup needs to be removed. Earwax is meant to naturally lubricate your ear canals and act as a safeguard against foreign debris that enters your ears. Everyone produces earwax, some more than others. Completely removing all earwax is not recommended. If you have impacted earwax that is affecting your hearing, seek professional help. 

Self-cleaning Ears  

Your ears are, in fact, self-cleaning. As mentioned earlier, the function of earwax is to stop dirt and debris from making their way into your ear canal. It moves it to the surface so that it does not enter your ear.

If you or a loved one are noticing hearing loss, please contact Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 

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