Why cotton buds are bad for your ears

Ear Cleaning
Why cotton buds are bad for your ears

Inadequate cleaning of the ears can cause ear infections. 

Ear canal inflammation and even hearing loss can be caused by faulty cleaning using the wrong techniques – say audiologists; the most common mistake is the inappropriate use of a cotton swab.

Although more and more people know that this can be extremely dangerous, they still get the ear canal blocked by the compacted earwax. In the summer, heat and water further aggravate the problem.

The earwax that protects the wellbeing of the ear canal is naturally excreted with the removed epithelial cells and with the pollutants intake.

Therefore, there is no need for extra cleaning, it is enough to clean and wipe the ear canal regularly, according to experts. Although many people are aware of this, ear doctors still treat many patients daily, who complain of hearing loss or ear pain caused by cotton buds. It is sufficient to have a small injury to form a large-scale inflammation in the auditory pathway. In extreme cases, it may even be that someone inserts the cotton bud deeper than intended and damages the eardrum. 

If we are working in a place that is more humid than average, or we may have a narrower ear canal, we have to be more careful when we are cleaning up our earwax and ideally see a specialist once a year. This is an important advice to follow for all of us, as our ears, just like our eyes and teeth, need special taking care of. 

 


Are you looking for ear wax removal?

Our clinic based service in Barnard Castle carries out microsuction ear wax removal. To find out more please view our Barnard Castle Clinic.
You can book an appointment online or call our Barnard Castle service at 01833 200 029.

Our clinic based service in Stockton-on-Tees carries out microsuction ear wax removal. To find out more please view our Stockton-on-Tees Clinic.
You can book an appointment online or call our Stockton-on-Tees service at 01833 200 029.

Our clinic based service in Bracknell carries out microsuction ear wax removal. To find out more please view our Bracknell Clinic.
You can book an appointment online or call our Bracknell service at 0118 230 3433.

Find a professional ear wax removal clinic around you !

Are your ears blocked? Browse our UK's network
of ear wax removal clinics

Our clinic based service in Reading carries out microsuction ear wax removal. To find out more please view our Earley Clinic.
You can book an appointment online or call our Reading service at 0118 230 3433.

Our clinic based service in Weston-super-Mare carries out microsuction ear wax removal. To find out more please view our Weston-super-Mare Clinic.
You can book an appointment online or call our Weston-super-Mare service at 01934 314 104.

Our clinic based service in Bristol carries out microsuction ear wax removal. To find out more please view our Shirehampton Clinic.
You can book an appointment online or call our Bristol service at 01934 314 104.

Our clinic based service in Hazel Grove carries out microsuction ear wax removal. To find out more please view our Hazel Grove Clinic.
You can book an appointment online or call our Hazel Grove service at 0161 519 6267.

Our clinic based service in Marple carries out microsuction ear wax removal. To find out more please view our Marple Clinic.
You can book an appointment online or call our Marple service at 0161 519 6267.

You might also find these articles interesting

We provide a wide range of services including Ear Wax Removal, Treatment for Ear Infections, Checks for Balance Disorders, Ear Noise and more.

View the USA version of our site at earwaxremoval.us.

©2025 Ear Wax Removal UK. All Rights reserved.