Ear Cleaning: Safe or Harmful? What Science Says

The available data suggests that using cotton swabs, vacuum devices, and candles to clean ears should be avoided. However, maintaining proper ear hygiene will not cause any harm.

What is earwax and why is it necessary?

The inner ear connects with the environment through the auditory passage, which is lined with a superficial layer of skin called epithelium. This layer of skin wears out over time and is replaced by new cells, just like other surfaces of the body. Glands in the ear canal secrete earwax, which helps protect the skin of the ear canal and prevent infection.

When it comes to the skin on the face, hands, or feet, dead cells flake off naturally. However, in the auditory passage, there is no way for dead cells to be removed. Luckily, humans evolved a unique mechanism for eliminating dead cells in the ear canal, which is the production of earwax.

The ear canal contains not only epithelial cells but also sebaceous and ceruminous glands. These glands secrete a substance mainly composed of fatty acids and cholesterol, which binds dead skin cells together to form a mass.

Individuals of European and African descent produce wet earwax, a yellow, sticky substance, while those of Asian descent have light and dry earwax. The type of earwax a person produces is determined by their genetics, and the moisture level and color of the earwax do not affect ear health.

During chewing or talking, earwax separates from the walls of the ear canal and gradually moves towards the outer part of the ear, providing the body with a way to eliminate waste. This process also serves to moisturize the ear canal and provide additional protection against bacteria and fungi. The acidic environment created by earwax makes it difficult for most pathogens to survive.

What happens if you never clean your ear canal?

For most healthy individuals, the ears are capable of naturally removing earwax on their own, and no harm will occur. To eliminate excess earwax that has exited the ear canal, it is sufficient to clean the outer ear with a soft, damp cloth or towel.

However, earwax blockages can develop in one out of every ten children, one out of every twenty adults, and one out of every three elderly individuals. This condition can cause discomfort, pain, itching, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and hearing problems.

There are various reasons why earwax blockages can occur, such as a naturally narrow ear canal, excessive production of earwax components, infection, or dermatological disorders. Improper ear cleaning is one of the main causes of blockages.

Why is it harmful to clean your ears with a cotton swab?

Cotton swabs may appear to clean the ears, but in reality, they push most of the earwax deeper into the ear canal and compress it. Consequently, earwax is compacted into dense lumps that cannot exit the ear canal naturally, resulting in blockages for some individuals.

Earwax blockages can occur not only from cotton swabs but also from other ear cleaning tools. In other words, ear curettes and spiral tampons can also contribute to the formation of earwax blockages.

Cleaning ears with long and hard devices can cause more problems than just earwax blockage. It can easily scratch the ear canal and create an entry point for microbes to enter the ear. Additionally, the eardrum can be damaged, risking hearing loss.

Using ear candles, which require insertion into the ear and lighting the other end, is also not advisable. Ear candles do not remove earwax as claimed, but rather pose a risk of injury or burn to the ear.

How to safely clean your ears

If a person doesn’t experience discomfort or hearing issues, it’s advisable not to clean their ears. However, in case of blockage, an individual can attempt to remove it themselves by using a substance to soften the blockage and a rubber bulb syringe to flush it out.

Here’s what you should do:

• Soften the blockage by putting two to three drops of baby oil, glycerin, or a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide into your ear. Allow it to sit for a day or two.
• Use a rubber bulb syringe to flush warm water into your ear, but avoid inserting the tip of the syringe into the ear canal. Tilt your head over a sink and gently pour the water in like a watering can. Pull the earlobe down and outwards to facilitate the draining of water and earwax.
• Dry your outer ear using a towel or tissue.

If the blockage persists despite your attempts, it is recommended to repeat the procedure several times. However, if the blockage persists, it is safer to seek the help of an otolaryngologist. This doctor can remove the blockage without causing harm to your ears.