Why You Should Never Use Cotton Buds to Clean Your Ears

Many of us grew up with a pot of cotton buds in the bathroom cabinet, believing them to be the primary tool for maintaining ear hygiene. The satisfying, albeit misleading, sensation of "cleaning" the ears is a ritual for millions. However, from our clinical perspective as audiologists at Buckinghamshire Hearing, an independent private audiology clinic in High Wycombe, we must be unequivocal: you should never use cotton buds to clean your ear canals. This practice is not only ineffective but also fraught with risks that can lead to significant and sometimes permanent damage.

The ear is a remarkable, self-regulating organ. The skin in your ear canal has a unique migratory property, acting like a conveyor belt. It grows from the centre of the eardrum outwards, carrying with it debris, dead skin cells, and, most importantly, cerumen, commonly known as ear wax. This entire system is designed to be self-cleaning. The wax, which is often misunderstood, is not a sign of uncleanliness. It is a vital substance, providing a protective barrier that lubricates the ear canal, traps dust and foreign particles, and has antibacterial properties to prevent infections.

When you chew, talk, and move your jaw, you are naturally aiding this process, helping to move the old wax to the outer ear, where it dries up and falls out unnoticed. Interfering with this delicate process is where the problems begin.

When you insert a cotton bud, or any object for that matter, into your ear canal, you are working against its natural mechanics. Instead of removing wax, you are likely pushing the majority of it further down the canal towards the eardrum. This can create a hard, impacted plug of wax that the ear cannot clear on its own. This is a common issue we see daily at our Loudwater clinic.

Symptoms of ear wax impaction include:

• A feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear
• Muffled hearing or temporary hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Earache

Ironically, the very act of trying to clean your ears can lead to the problems you were trying to prevent.

The ear canal is lined with incredibly delicate skin, and the eardrum (tympanic membrane) at its end is a fragile structure. A cotton bud is a blunt instrument that can easily cause harm.

"The most significant risk is accidentally perforating the eardrum," explains our lead audiologist. "A sudden jolt or pushing just a few millimetres too far can create a hole in the eardrum, which is not only painful but can lead to hearing loss and infections like otitis media."

Beyond perforation, cotton buds can cause micro-abrasions and scratches on the canal walls. These small wounds can disrupt the protective wax layer and create an entry point for bacteria, leading to painful outer ear infections (otitis externa), sometimes known as "swimmer's ear." As a private audiology clinic in High Wycombe, we frequently treat patients for such preventable conditions.

So, how should you manage your ear health? For the vast majority of people, the best course of action is to do nothing at all. Simply clean the outer ear (the pinna) with a cloth during your daily shower. If you are one of the individuals who produces excess wax or has narrow ear canals, leading to a tendency for build-up, there are safer home options.

Comparing Ear Wax Management Methods

If you experience any symptoms of wax build-up, it is crucial to seek professional advice rather than attempting to resolve it yourself. At Buckinghamshire Hearing, we offer a comprehensive ear health assessment. We can determine if your symptoms are indeed caused by wax or another underlying condition. For those in Loudwater, High Wycombe, and the surrounding Buckinghamshire areas, our clinic provides a local, expert service without the long waiting times you might find elsewhere.

You should book an appointment with an audiologist if you:

• Experience sudden hearing loss or muffled hearing.
• Have persistent tinnitus, dizziness, or earache.
• Wear hearing aids, as wax can block the device and cause feedback.
• Feel that home treatments like olive oil drops have not resolved the issue.