How Should You Clean Your Ears? Are Cotton Buds Harmful?

Last Updated: 17.08.2026 · Category: Ear, Nose and Throat · Prepared by the Academic Hospital Web and Editorial Board.

The ear canal is largely self-cleaning. Routine ear care should focus on cleaning only the outer ear rather than inserting objects into the ear canal.

What Is Earwax?

Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural substance produced in the external ear canal.

It helps protect the skin of the ear canal, contributes to moisture balance and helps trap and move particles towards the outside of the ear.

Earwax is not a sign of poor hygiene. Normal earwax does not need to be completely removed.

How Should You Clean Your Ears?

The skin of the ear canal naturally migrates outwards, helping move earwax towards the canal opening.

For routine hygiene:

  • Gently wipe the outer ear with a clean, soft cloth.
  • Dry the outer ear gently after bathing.
  • Do not insert cotton buds, fingers, tissues, hairpins or other objects into the ear canal.
  • Seek assessment if there is pain, discharge, hearing loss or persistent blockage.

Are Cotton Buds Harmful?

Cotton buds should not be inserted into the ear canal.

They can push earwax deeper into the canal and contribute to impacted earwax. They can also scratch the delicate ear-canal skin, cause bleeding or infection and, if inserted too deeply, injure or perforate the eardrum.

Do not insert objects into your ear canal to remove earwax.

How Often Should You Clean Your Ears?

There is no recommended weekly or monthly schedule for cleaning a healthy ear canal.

The ear canal generally does not require routine cleaning.

The outer ear can be cleaned as needed during normal personal hygiene. Earwax that is not causing symptoms or preventing examination of the ear can usually be left alone.

What Is Impacted Earwax?

Earwax becomes impacted when it accumulates and blocks part or all of the ear canal, particularly when it causes symptoms or prevents an adequate ear examination.

Risk may be increased by narrow ear canals, frequent cotton-bud use, hearing aids, in-ear devices, certain skin disorders and increasing age.

What Are the Symptoms of Earwax Build-up?

Impacted earwax can cause:

  • A blocked or full feeling in the ear
  • Reduced hearing
  • Tinnitus
  • Itching or discomfort
  • Occasionally ear pain

These symptoms can also occur with other ear conditions. Sudden hearing loss should not automatically be assumed to be caused by earwax.

Can Ear Drops Be Used?

Earwax-softening drops can be useful for selected cases of cerumen impaction.

However, do not put drops or fluids into the ear without appropriate advice if you have a perforated eardrum, ventilation tube, previous ear surgery, ear discharge, severe pain or suspected infection.

How Is Earwax Removed Professionally?

The appropriate method depends on the condition of the ear canal and eardrum.

Options can include:

  • Cerumen-softening agents
  • Controlled irrigation in suitable patients
  • Manual removal under direct visualisation
  • Suction in selected cases

Not every method is suitable for every patient.

Who Should Avoid Home Ear Cleaning?

Professional assessment is particularly appropriate for people with a perforated eardrum, ventilation tubes, previous ear surgery, ear discharge, significant pain, sudden hearing loss, suspected foreign body or certain conditions affecting immunity.

Do Ear Candles Work?

Ear candling is not recommended for earwax removal.

There is no reliable evidence that it safely removes earwax, and it can cause burns, wax obstruction of the ear canal or injury to the eardrum.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Seek medical assessment for:

  • New or significant hearing loss
  • Severe or persistent ear pain
  • Blood or discharge from the ear
  • Significant dizziness
  • Trauma after inserting an object into the ear
  • A foreign object in the ear
  • Symptoms that persist after earwax removal

Sudden hearing loss deserves particular attention. Sudden blockage and reduced hearing should not automatically be attributed to earwax.

Do Not Forcefully Clean a Blocked Ear at Home

Assessment of the ear canal and eardrum can identify whether earwax is responsible for hearing loss, fullness or discomfort and determine the safest method of removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to clean our ears regularly?
The healthy external ear canal is largely self-cleaning. Weekly or monthly cleaning of the ear canal is not necessary. During normal hygiene, only the outer ear and material that has naturally reached the opening need to be gently cleaned.
Are cotton buds harmful?
Cotton buds should not be inserted into the ear canal. They can push earwax deeper, injure the ear canal, cause impaction or infection and may damage the eardrum if inserted too deeply.
Is earwax harmful?
Normal earwax is not harmful. Cerumen helps protect the ear canal and maintain its moisture balance. It may cause symptoms when it accumulates and obstructs the ear canal.
Should ears be cleaned once a week?
No. There is no standard recommendation to clean a healthy ear canal once a week. The ear canal generally cleans itself and earwax that causes no symptoms does not need to be removed.
Can earwax cause hearing loss?
Impacted earwax can cause temporary conductive hearing loss. However, sudden or significant hearing loss should not automatically be assumed to be caused by earwax and may require ENT assessment.
Can ear drops remove earwax?
Earwax-softening drops can be useful in selected cases. However, people with a perforated eardrum, ventilation tube, previous ear surgery, discharge, severe pain or suspected infection should not put drops or fluids into the ear without appropriate medical advice.
Do ear candles remove earwax?
There is no reliable evidence that ear candling safely and effectively removes earwax. It is not recommended because it can cause burns, wax blockage or eardrum injury.
When should earwax be removed by a healthcare professional?
Professional removal may be appropriate when earwax causes hearing loss, blockage, pain or other symptoms, or when it prevents examination of the eardrum. The removal method depends on the condition of the ear canal and eardrum.
Academic Hospital note: Earwax is a normal protective substance and the healthy ear canal does not require routine internal cleaning. Inserting cotton buds or other objects can push wax deeper and cause injury. Hearing loss, pain, discharge or recurrent blockage should be assessed by an ENT specialist. You can book an appointment.