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CNET
a day ago
- Health
- CNET
Stop Using Q-Tips to Clean Your Ears. Seriously.
Keeping your ears clean and getting rid of excess wax buildup is essential for good hygiene and ear health -- but there are right and wrong ways to do it. Despite what most of us learned growing up, you should not shove cotton swabs in your ears to remove earwax. Here's why you should stop using this outdated method and try these safer ways of keeping muffled hearing at bay and your favorite earbuds cleaner. The truth about Q-tips The cotton swab, better known as the Q-tip, is the most common device used for cleaning your ears. Its shortcomings illustrate the basic problems with using these types of instruments for earwax removal. Thanks to their long, narrow shape, Q-tips are more likely to push earwax into your ear than pulling it out. When you attempt to use one to clean your ear canal, you risk simply compacting the earwax and creating a blockage that makes it harder to hear. Worse still, if you push a Q-tip too hard or too far into your ear canal, you may actually puncture your ear drum. The ear canal is only about an inch (2.5 centimeters) deep, so there's not a lot of margin for error. One ear, nose and throat specialist CNET previously spoke with has even treated patients who seriously damaged their eardrums by answering the phone with a Q-tip sticking out of one of their ears. That's a phone call that can truly ruin your day. In general, it's best to use cotton swabs -- or even just a tissue or damp, clean rag -- to clean the outer portion of your ear, outside the canal. ronstik/Getty Images Ear cleaning 101 As gross as we may think it is, earwax is actually essential to your ear health. According to Harvard Medical School, not only does it lubricate your ear canal and protect your eardrum, it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It naturally protects against harmful buildup, gathering dead skin cells and dirt as it gradually moves toward your outer ear on its own. In other words, earwax makes your ears naturally self-cleaning. In most cases, you don't need to dig into your ear canals or do anything to clean them out -- they'll do the job on their own. Some people produce more earwax than others, and this can cause excessive buildup leading to discomfort or hearing trouble. Hearing aid wearers, in particular, can suffer from excessive earwax buildup due to the extra vibrations in their ears. Whatever the cause, if earwax is getting to you, it's important to see a doctor and assess the best course of treatment. If your doctor gives the thumbs-up, there are a few DIY ear-cleaning methods that can be done safely and effectively: Wipe with a damp washcloth : This is the safest and best method of all. You can't really get inside your ear canal with your finger, and gently rubbing around the outside of it with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to clear out any earwax buildup. : This is the safest and best method of all. You can't really get inside your ear canal with your finger, and gently rubbing around the outside of it with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to clear out any earwax buildup. Rinse your ear canal: If you think you may have some earwax stubbornly lodged in your ear canal, you can often rinse it out, per Harvard Medical School. Soak a cotton ball in warm water, a saline solution, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide, then hold it over your ear canal and tilt your opposite ear toward the floor. After you let it drip in and soak into the wax for a minute or so, tilt your head the other way and let the softened wax drip out. If you think you may have some earwax stubbornly lodged in your ear canal, you can often rinse it out, per Harvard Medical School. Soak a cotton ball in warm water, a saline solution, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide, then hold it over your ear canal and tilt your opposite ear toward the floor. After you let it drip in and soak into the wax for a minute or so, tilt your head the other way and let the softened wax drip out. Try over-the-counter ear drops: These drops serve much the same function of "ear irrigation" as the above method but may also come with a dropper or bulb syringe. Doctors recommend avoiding the syringe if you have damaged your eardrum, as this can let water into the middle ear and put you at risk of serious not to use to clean your ears Although the above methods of earwax removal can be done safely, there are some popular tools and techniques you should avoid. These may be popular on social media, but that doesn't mean they're safe for your ears. Ear candling : Ear-candling kits, which have grown in popularity in recent years, claim to soften the wax and draw it out by lighting a flame on a long funnel that you place in your ear canal. According to Consumer Reports, this method is highly dubious among doctors. The Food and Drug Administration has long recommended against using ear candles due to the risk of burns, punctures and more. : Ear-candling kits, which have grown in popularity in recent years, claim to soften the wax and draw it out by lighting a flame on a long funnel that you place in your ear canal. According to Consumer Reports, this method is highly dubious among doctors. The Food and Drug Administration has long recommended against using ear candles due to the risk of burns, punctures and more. Ear-cleaning kits that can go deep into the ear : Some kits offer tiny spade-like or drill-shaped tools that promise to pull wax out of your ear canal. However, doctors urge caution with these types of instruments. Some of them can go dangerously deep into your canal, while others are sharp enough to cut your ear canal. : Some kits offer tiny spade-like or drill-shaped tools that promise to pull wax out of your ear canal. However, doctors urge caution with these types of instruments. Some of them can go dangerously deep into your canal, while others are sharp enough to cut your ear canal. Any sharp objects: As noted above, it's best to avoid anything sharp, whether it's a store-bought tool or a bobby pins. Cuts can cause bleeding and scabbing, which can obstruct your hearing and expose you to infection. Who shouldn't clean their ears at home? Those with diabetes or who rely on blood thinners should be especially cautious about cleaning their ears. These conditions make it more difficult to stop bleeding, and that's particularly problematic if you get tiny cuts inside your ear from cleaning it too roughly. Those aren't the only people who should think twice before digging into their ears, though. In most cases, it's best to leave ear-canal cleaning to the professionals. They have better tools and a better view and can help you remove earwax safely. FAQs What is the safest way to clean your ears? The safest way to keep your ears clean is to wet a cloth with warm water and wipe around the outer ear. Use warm water is best because it'll help "degrease" the area. You can also use the irrigation method to rinse your ear. While you might feel that the long, narrow shape of a Q-tip makes it the most effective way to keep your ear clean, its design can lead to injuries, especially if a Q-tip is pushed in too deep.
CNET
23-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Say Bye to Excess Ear Wax. Here's How to Clean Your Ears Safely
Keeping your ears clean is an essential part of good personal hygiene, but how you go about it is equally important. Here's how you can do it safely, if and when needed, to keep muffled hearing at bay and any gunk off your favorite earbuds. The truth about Q-tips The cotton swab, better known as the Q-tip, is the most common device used for cleaning your ears. Its shortcomings illustrate the basic problems with using these types of instruments for earwax removal. Thanks to their long, narrow shape, Q-tips are more likely to push earwax into your ear than pulling it out. When you attempt to use one to clean your ear canal, you risk simply compacting the earwax and creating a blockage that makes it harder to hear. Worse still, if you push a Q-tip too hard or too far into your ear canal, you may actually puncture your ear drum. The ear canal is only about an inch (2.5 centimeters) deep, so there's not a lot of margin for error. One ear, nose and throat specialist CNET previously spoke with has even treated patients who seriously damaged their eardrums by answering the phone with a Q-tip sticking out of one of their ears. That's a phone call that can truly ruin your day! In general, it's best to use cotton swabs -- or even just a tissue or damp, clean rag -- to clean the outer portion of your ear, outside the canal. ronstik/Getty Images Ear cleaning 101 As gross as we may think it is, earwax is actually essential to your ear health. According to Harvard Medical School, not only does it lubricate your ear canal and protect your eardrum, it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It naturally protects against harmful buildup, gathering dead skin cells and dirt as it gradually moves toward your outer ear on its own. In other words, earwax makes your ears naturally self-cleaning. In most cases, you don't need to dig into your ear canals or do anything to clean them out -- they'll do the job on their own. That said, some people produce more earwax than others, and this can cause excessive buildup leading to discomfort or hearing trouble. Hearing aid wearers, in particular, can suffer from excessive earwax buildup due to the extra vibrations in their ears. Whatever the cause, if earwax is getting to you, it's important to see a doctor and assess the best course of treatment. If your doctor gives the thumbs-up, there are a few DIY ear-cleaning methods that can be done safely and effectively: Wipe with a damp washcloth : This is the safest and best method of all. You can't really get inside your ear canal with your finger, and gently rubbing around the outside of it with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to clear out any earwax buildup. : This is the safest and best method of all. You can't really get inside your ear canal with your finger, and gently rubbing around the outside of it with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to clear out any earwax buildup. Rinse your ear canal: If you think you may have some earwax stubbornly lodged in your ear canal, you can often rinse it out, per Harvard Medical School. Soak a cotton ball in warm water, a saline solution, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide, then hold it over your ear canal and tilt your opposite ear toward the floor. After you let it drip in and soak into the wax for a minute or so, tilt your head the other way and let the softened wax drip out. If you think you may have some earwax stubbornly lodged in your ear canal, you can often rinse it out, per Harvard Medical School. Soak a cotton ball in warm water, a saline solution, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide, then hold it over your ear canal and tilt your opposite ear toward the floor. After you let it drip in and soak into the wax for a minute or so, tilt your head the other way and let the softened wax drip out. Try over-the-counter ear drops: These drops serve much the same function of "ear irrigation" as the above method but may also come with a dropper or bulb syringe. Doctors recommend avoiding the syringe if you have damaged your eardrum, as this can let water into the middle ear and put you at risk of serious not to use to clean your ears Although the above methods of earwax removal can be done safely, there are some popular tools and techniques you should avoid. These may be popular on social media, but that doesn't mean they're safe for your ears. Ear candling : Ear-candling kits, which have grown in popularity in recent years, claim to soften the wax and draw it out by lighting a flame on a long funnel that you place in your ear canal. According to Consumer Reports, this method is highly dubious among doctors. The Food and Drug Administration has long recommended against using ear candles due to the risk of burns, punctures and more. : Ear-candling kits, which have grown in popularity in recent years, claim to soften the wax and draw it out by lighting a flame on a long funnel that you place in your ear canal. According to Consumer Reports, this method is highly dubious among doctors. The Food and Drug Administration has long recommended against using ear candles due to the risk of burns, punctures and more. Ear-cleaning kits that can go deep into the ear : Some kits offer tiny spade-like or drill-shaped tools that promise to pull wax out of your ear canal. However, doctors urge caution with these types of instruments. Some of them can go dangerously deep into your canal, while others are sharp enough to cut your ear canal. : Some kits offer tiny spade-like or drill-shaped tools that promise to pull wax out of your ear canal. However, doctors urge caution with these types of instruments. Some of them can go dangerously deep into your canal, while others are sharp enough to cut your ear canal. Any sharp objects: As noted above, it's best to avoid anything sharp, whether it's a store-bought tool or a bobby pins. Cuts can cause bleeding and scabbing, which can obstruct your hearing and expose you to infection. Who shouldn't clean their ears at home? Those with diabetes or who rely on blood thinners should be especially cautious about cleaning their ears. These conditions make it more difficult to stop bleeding, and that's particularly problematic if you get tiny cuts inside your ear from cleaning it too roughly. Those aren't the only people who should think twice before digging into their ears, though. In most cases, it's best to leave ear-canal cleaning to the professionals. They have better tools and a better view and can help you remove earwax safely. FAQs What is the safest way to clean your ears? The safest way to keep your ears clean is to wet a cloth with warm water and wipe around the outer ear. Use warm water is best because it'll help "degrease" the area. You can also use the irrigation method to rinse your ear. While you might feel that the long, narrow shape of a Q-tip makes it the most effective way to keep your ear clean, its design can lead to awful injuries, especially if a Q-tip is pushed in too deep.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
8 best swimming earplugs, from Alpine, Speedo, Zoggs and more
If you spend a lot of time in the water, a good pair of swimming earplugs can make a real difference to your comfort and ear health. Designed to create a watertight seal, they help prevent water from entering the ear canal. This can be a major cause of discomfort, cause infections such as swimmer's ear, and even create longer-term issues with hearing. While some people wear earplugs as a precaution against earaches or pressure changes, for those prone to ear infections or with grommets, earplugs are essential. The best swimming earplugs stay securely in place even during energetic swims, feel comfortable for extended periods, and block water without muffling sound too much. When choosing a pair, it's worth considering the material (silicone and rubber are common), whether you want mouldable or pre-shaped plugs, and how easy they are to insert and remove. The fit is key – a good seal will keep your ears protected without feeling too tight or intrusive. I tested a range of options across different price points to find swimming earplugs that combine effective protection with ear comfort. I tried them in a variety of swimming scenarios, so whether you're doing lengths in an indoor pool, training for a triathlon in open water, or plunging into the sea for a spot of cold-water swimming, there's a pair that will work for you. How I tested Each pair of swimming earplugs was tested during at least five sessions in both indoor pools and open water to assess performance under varying conditions. To maintain consistency, I swam set distances and repeated similar movements – freestyle, tumble turns and backstroke – while wearing the same swim cap and goggles. I evaluated each set of earplugs on water seal integrity, comfort over extended periods, ease of insertion and removal, and how much I could hear while wearing them. Special attention was given to how well the plugs maintained their seal during turning and acceleration when overtaking, as even a minor shift can potentially enable leaks and compromise protection. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Zoe Griffin has been evaluating and reviewing a wide range of products for IndyBest since 2021. As a triathlete, Zoe has particular expertise when it comes to swimming, sports, and fitness, reviewing everything from fitness trackers to running watches. When assessing swimming earplugs, she took into account choices for all budgets and her reviews are always based on her genuine experiences through real-world testing. The best swimming earplugs for 2025 are:
The Guardian
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
NHS earwax removal must be available to all
Your article about ear health (Get plugs and never remove wax at home, 24 June) didn't reflect the huge impact on some people's lives of the withdrawal of NHS earwax removal services in many areas. Cornwall is one of the areas of the country where you now have to pay privately to have earwax safely removed. The cost of this can be considerable for those on limited incomes, which causes some to undertake dangerous procedures themselves to clear their wax, or go to an unregulated and possibly dangerous practitioner, or simply live with reduced hearing. The double whammy is that you can't get an NHS hearing check – and thus NHS-funded hearing aids if you need them – or access to other treatment unless you have had your earwax removed at your own expense. RNID, the national hearing-loss charity, has published a report, Stop the Block, highlighting the issue. As your article rightly says, people need good hearing to stay socially connected. Without good-quality social interactions, people can become withdrawn, isolated, depressed and ill. The withdrawal in many areas of this apparently minor service to remove earwax is having a serious impact on some people's lives. The free NHS service must be reinstated for BlundyWest Cornwall HealthWatch Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Fox News
13-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
6 simple ways to protect your hearing now before it's too late, according to experts
Print Close By Reem Amro Published June 13, 2025 Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, with about one in three Americans between 65 and 74 affected, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While some of this loss is due to the hair cells in the inner ears breaking down with age and not picking up vibrations as well, per WebMD, there are some risk factors that can be controlled with behavior modifications. Making small changes now can help protect your ears and hearing later in life, experts advise. Below are some practical tips you can start implementing today. COMMON AGING SYMPTOM COULD WORSEN LONELINESS IN SENIORS 1. Limit exposure to loud noises Whether it's a crowded concert, heavy traffic or the constant hum of power tools, repeated exposure to high noise levels is known to cause permanent damage to the delicate structures in the inner ear. One of the most effective ways to protect your hearing as you age is to limit your exposure to these loud environments, the NIH states. Even small adjustments, like lowering the volume on your headphones or taking quiet breaks during a noisy event, can make a big difference over time. 2. Shield your ears in noisy environments Damage to the inner ear can happen long before it shows up on a hearing test, according to the NIH, which means prevention is key. When loud situations are unavoidable, and you expect to be exposed for more than a few minutes, experts recommend wearing ear protection, such as foam earplugs or noise-canceling earmuffs. One of the most effective ways to protect your hearing as you age is to limit your exposure to loud environments. Foam earplugs are an affordable, easy-to-carry option that reduce noise by 15 to 30 decibels, WebMD states. Earmuffs, which cover the entire ear, offer similar protection and can be worn with earplugs for added defense. Some earplugs are designed to reduce sound evenly across all frequencies, making them ideal for musicians or anyone who wants clear but quieter audio. 3. Get your hearing checked regularly Just like dental cleanings or eye exams, regular hearing checkups are an important part of maintaining overall health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults aged 50 through 64 should have their hearing screened by an audiologist every five years. Hearing exams are particularly important for those who have a family history of hearing loss, notice difficulty hearing conversations, have a high degree of noise exposure, often hear ringing in the ears or have no previous testing history. Your healthcare provider will assess how well your hearing is functioning and check for any early signs of hearing loss. WOMEN MAY HEAR BETTER THAN MEN, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS "Screening doesn't always mean undergoing a full hearing test," Lindsay Creed, a Maryland audiologist and associate director of audiology practices at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), told Fox News Digital. "It can start with a few simple questions from your doctor during a routine physical, or even a short questionnaire as a first step." 4. Avoid smoking Smoking doesn't just affect your lungs and heart — it can also harm your hearing. According to a study conducted by the NIH, current smokers are 61% more likely to experience prevalent hearing loss compared to non-smokers. 'I'M A NEUROLOGIST — HERE'S WHY DEMENTIA IS RISING AND HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK' The good news? Quitting makes a difference. Former smokers who quit for longer than five years reduced their risk to nearly as low as individuals who have never smoked, the same study found. 5. Be aware of age-related ear conditions Although hearing loss is common with age, it's not the only auditory issue. According to the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), conditions like tinnitus, which often peaks between age 60 and 69, can also develop. Tinnitus causes persistent sounds such as ringing, hissing, buzzing or whooshing in the ears. Most cases are linked to sensorineural hearing loss, the type that typically occurs with age, the American Tinnitus Association notes. While there's no cure, various treatments can help reduce the impact of symptoms. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Another condition that becomes more common with age is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which causes brief but intense episodes of dizziness, according to Mayo Clinic. This occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear shift out of place. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Audiologist Lindsay Creed noted that head trauma is usually the cause in younger people, but in those over 50, natural age-related changes in the inner ear are more likely the culprit. Once someone experiences BPPV, future episodes become more likely. The condition can often be treated with a simple in-office maneuver performed by a medical professional to reposition the crystals, although Creed advises against attempting it at home without guidance. 6. Check medications for adverse effects Many drugs are known to cause impaired hearing, including some cancer medications and antibiotics, according to WebMD. For more Health articles, visit If you take a prescription medication, experts recommend checking with your physician to ensure that it isn't known to impact ear health. Print Close URL
