More than likely, cleaning your ears out is not necessary. Ears are self-cleaning, and surprisingly efficient in the majority of people. Ear wax is created in the outer third of the ear canal to lubricate the ear and protect it from insects, bacteria, dust, and water. Ear wax and debris that have built up in the ears are pushed out of the ear aided by the movement of the jaw. When this wax reaches the outer ear it dries and flakes out of the ear or is washed away during normal bathing. The skin in the ear canal and the ear drum are both very fragile and can easily be ruptured or torn if there is an intrusion. Unless you have a diagnosed hearing problem that is caused by excess ear wax, it is not necessary to clean out your ears with any instrument and could even be damaging.
Many people falsely assume that they need to stick something into their ears to clean them out. Unless given permission by an ear, nose and throat doctor, it is not advised so stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear canal. Pushing something into the canal, such as a Q-Tip, will often just push ear wax up against the ear drum rather than removing it. This method can also rupture the ear drum and cause more harm than good. Another popular ear wax removal system is what is known as "ear candling." A hollow candle is placed at the entrance to the ear canal, after which the candle is lit. This method has proven to be not only ineffective and dangerous but also potentially damaging to the ear, which also not retrieving any ear wax from the canal.
Ear wax removal drops are a good option for all ages. Non-damaging and gentle, they clean the ears with out the intrusion of an instrument and are great for young children and seniors, who might also experience ear dryness. DO NOT use ear cleaning drops if you have a perforated ear drum as this could cause an infection in the middle ear.
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