Our ears are an important component of our body. They not only allow us to process noises around us, but they also help us maintain balance and keep us out of harm’s way. Much like any other part of the body, they do require cleaning occasionally and it’s a good idea to learn how and when you should clean your ears.

So in this article, we’re going to talk about when the right time to clean your ears is, and also how you can clean them safely without resorting to damaging methods such as cotton tips.

What does cleaning our ears do?

The reason we clean our ears is that we perceive wax as dirt or waste that needs to be removed. In most cases, this is true. Wax can often be unsightly and excess wax can be cleaned out. However, we need to understand why wax is made in the first place.

Ear wax (or cerumen, for the medical term) is normal for your body to have because it’s produced in order to protect and lubricate your ears. If you don’t have ear wax, then your ears would be dry, itchy and also let chemicals and bacteria into your ear without any resistance. Ear wax should be seen as a filter that helps to protect your ears, so removing too much of it can actually cause harm.

However, cleaning your ears doesn’t always mean cleaning inside of your ears. Dirt, grime and sweat can accumulate in your ear as well, and it’s a good idea to occasionally wipe your ears to keep them clean. Just keep in mind not to insert anything into your ear because it can cause unnecessary strain and damage.

Do you need to clean your ears?

In short; yes. You do occasionally need to clean your ears. Hearing healthcare professionals generally agree that any kind of object being put inside your ear is bad for your ears, hence why you should not use any kind of cotton tips or scrapers to get rid of the wax. There are drops you can place in your ears to soften the ear wax so that it can fall out of your ears naturally, but you still need to speak with a hearing specialist before you try it so that they can examine your ears an ensure that it’s a safe method of removing ear wax.

In some cases, your ears could produce more wax than is actually needed. This means that you’ll have excess amounts of wax, and if you were previously inserting cotton tips or using scrapers to clean your ears, then there’s a chance that you have impacted ear wax that could cause blockages in your hearing or even pain. If you suspect this is the case, then it’s a good idea to speak to your hearing care specialist regarding this and have them visibly inspect your ears.

To conclude, you should always speak to your hearing professional before you do anything in an attempt to clean your ears. This will help you preserve your ears and save you from accidentally damaging them.