Ear hygiene is often the subject of much speculation, with some practices even harming ear health. Proper ear hygiene helps prevent damage to the eardrum, ear canal, or outer ear. However, ear cleaning should not be done routinely, and certainly not with a cotton swab. Here are some misconceptions about ear hygiene and the right methods to protect your hearing.
Myth: Cotton Swabs Provide Safe and Effective Ear Cleaning
Although it is one of the most common tools for ear cleaning, the cotton swab is mainly intended for cleaning the outer ear’s folds. When used inside the ear canal, it pushes dead skin further down, potentially creating a wax plug.
A cotton swab or ear pick is not effective for removing wax in the ear canal. In the worst case, you risk a perforated eardrum and hearing loss. Consult an ENT doctor to remove earwax plugs safely and painlessly.
Opt for gentle cleaning with a cotton swab to improve ear hygiene. An ear spray, with its misting system, provides a safe and effective solution. For example, products on audispray.com contain hypertonic seawater to dissolve accumulated wax.
After using the spray, gently massage the ear and tilt your head to help the solution drain outward. Finally, properly wipe away any residual liquid with a cotton piece.
Myth: Frequent Ear Cleaning Reduces the Risk of Wax Buildup
The human ear has its own cleaning mechanism that regulates wax production. Cleaning too frequently disrupts this balance and may even cause blockages. You should only intervene when there’s a noticeable wax buildup. The ideal cleaning frequency? Once a week or every two weeks. Here are recommended cleaning methods:
- Cleaning spray to quickly remove wax
- Warm water cleaning using a showerhead or syringe
- Olive oil ear cleaning
If using warm water, ensure you dry both the ear canal and outer ear afterward to prevent water from stagnating, which helps prevent ear infections. Warmed olive oil can be applied drop by drop or with a soaked cotton piece in cases of earwax buildup.
Regular cleaning should not be routine. If your ears produce more wax than average (excess wax), consult an ENT doctor who can recommend suitable products: saline solution, irrigation kit, hydrogen peroxide, ear spray, etc.
Myth: Babies’ Ears Don’t Need Cleaning
This myth, linked to the fragility of newborns, can be harmful to their auditory health. Earwax production starts at birth and intensifies as the baby begins chewing (around six months). It increases further around ages 1 to 2.
When cleaning a baby’s ears, take precautions to avoid irritation, injury, or infection of the ear canal. Avoid ear picks and cotton swabs, and ensure you don’t insert anything sharp into their ears.
The ideal cleaning method is to take advantage of bath time to gently soap the baby’s ears. Soapy water is enough to soften the wax, but you may also use purified seawater or a baby-safe cleaning spray once a week.
Don’t forget to clean the ear folds and outer ear with a piece of cotton or a compress. Finally, dry the ear and remove any dirt at the ear canal entrance without pushing it inward with a pointed cotton swab.
Feel free to consult an ENT doctor to determine the most suitable ear care method.