15% Off Holiday Ear Care Kit - Shop Now

Why You Should Not Use Cotton Buds to Clean Ears

Everyone knows that you should avoid using cotton buds (or ear buds) to clean your ears, yet many still do so. This informative video demonstrates exactly what happens to ear wax when you use them.

Using cotton buds can push the wax further into the ear canal, leading to blockages and increased build-up of ear wax. As tempting as it may seem, we strongly urge everyone to refrain from using them.

Ear Anatomy

How Does Your Ear Produce Wax?

The ear canal produces wax as part of its protective mechanism. When there is an excess of wax, it can block sound waves from reaching the eardrum, causing deafness and a very unpleasant feeling of blockage. To relieve these symptoms and protect this incredible structure, the safest and most effective way to remove wax blockages is through Microsuction, using a proper microscope and suction machine.

At Just Ears, we always use a microscope for this procedure because it provides magnification, depth perception, and excellent illumination—all essential for the safe and complete removal of wax.

Blocked Ear Wax - What Symptoms to Look For

There are five common symptoms that may indicate a build-up of ear wax:

  • A feeling of fullness in the ear
  • Sudden partial hearing loss
  • Ear pain
  • Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear)
  • Dizziness

It is crucial to seek medical help if you suspect you have impacted ear wax. Not only is it irritating, but it can also lead to infections. Our advice is to consult a professional to avoid complications.

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? Perhaps you know someone experiencing them? At Just Ears, we employ a technique called microsuction, which is the safest and most effective way to remove built-up ear wax.

How to Keep Your Ears Healthy

You might not think it necessary to pay much attention to ear health, but the following tips will help minimise the build-up of ear wax:

  1. DO NOT USE Q-tips/Cotton Buds to Clean Your Ears.
    They can damage the walls of the ear canal and increase the likelihood of infection. Furthermore, cotton buds can cause wax impaction by pushing it further down the canal, resulting in reduced hearing.
  2. Regular Use of Olive Oil:
    Using products like Earol, which consists of olive oil in a spray bottle (once a week), can help keep the wax soft and assist it in migrating out of the ear. We are local stockists of Earol, available for sale in our clinics.
  3. Moisturise if You Suffer from Dry Skin or Eczema:
    Applying an unscented moisturiser like E45 around the outside of the ear can minimise dry skin from falling into the canal and causing irritation.
  4. Keep Your Ears Dry to Minimise Infection Risk:
    When showering or washing your hair, keep your ears dry using commercially available ear plugs from a sports shop, or you can use a cotton wool ball with a smear of Vaseline (dispose of it after each use). A shower cap is also useful if you are not washing your hair.

By following these simple tips, you can maintain healthy ears and avoid the complications of ear wax build-up. If you have questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Just Ears Clinics.

Book your appointment today

Using our online booking system, you can view availability for all our clinics and have your appointment booked in less than 2 minutes. Our experienced practitioners look forward to seeing you soon!

Just Ears icon