Myth: You Need to Clean Your Ears Regularly with Cotton Swabs

A common myth is that cotton swabs are necessary for cleaning earwax and keeping ears healthy. Many believe that earwax is a sign of poor hygiene and that removing it frequently with swabs or other items keeps ears clean and prevents infection. As a result, people often use cotton swabs to clean deep inside their ear canals, assuming it’s a necessary part of personal hygiene. This belief can even lead people to remove earwax excessively, which poses risks to ear health. The myth is reinforced by the widespread availability and marketing of cotton swabs as ear-cleaning tools.

Earwax is produced naturally to protect the ear canal by trapping dust and preventing infections. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, using cotton swabs can push wax deeper into the ear, causing blockages and even damaging the eardrum. Most of the time, earwax migrates out on its own and doesn't require removal. In fact, over-cleaning can lead to dry, itchy ears and make them more prone to infections. For ear health, experts advise leaving earwax alone unless it causes discomfort, in which case, a healthcare provider can safely remove it. The body has a self-cleaning process for earwax, making cotton swabs unnecessary and potentially harmful.