There are many ways to clean ears and most of them are harmful. Using cotton swabs, hairpins, or inserting finger are all bad ways to clean earwax. It can push earwax further, causing ear pain or infection. Contrary to what many think, earwax or cerumen is a self-cleaning agent that your body produces and therefore your ears do not need any extra care. The only time you should clean is to gently clear or soften excess wax from the outer ear canal. If you do decide to clean your ears, you will need to know how to keep your ears clean and healthy.

Why do you have earwax?

Your body produces earwax or cerumen naturally and it has several roles to play. It lubricates and protects the delicate skin of the ear canal from water, dirt, and foreign particles. It also helps prevent infections by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria and fungi. Additionally, earwax has antibacterial properties, which means your ears are self-cleaning and can naturally remove the ear wax from the ear canal. Overall, ear wax is essential to protect your ears from damage.

How to keep your ears clean?

Here are 5 tips that can help you keep your ear clean and healthy:

1. Keeping ears dry

Moisture in your ear is the major cause of bacterial and fungal growth and can lead to ear infections. Use a soft towel on the outer part of the ear to gently dry your ears, especially showering or swimming. Tilting your head to each side can help water drain the water out naturally. “When going for swimming or bathing, if water gets trapped in your ears frequently, you can consider wearing earplugs, a swimming cap, or a shower cap to protect the ear,” suggests ENT consultant, Dr Vivek Kumar Pathak. Avoid inserting cotton swabs or other objects into your ear canal, as this can push water deeper and cause damage.

2. Avoid cleaning your ears excessively

While it is important to keep your ears clean, excessive cleaning can do more harm than good. Also, contrary to popular belief, the ear naturally produces wax (cerumen) that helps trap dust, dirt, and insects and protects the ear canal from water, infections, and foreign objects. Cleaning too often or too vigorously can strip away this protective wax (which is necessary for lubrication), leading to dryness, itching, and even ear infection. Instead, let your ears clean themselves naturally. If you feel your ears are excessively waxed, consult a doctor or use over-the-counter ear drops designed to soften wax for easier removal.

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3. Avoid inserting cotton swabs into the ear

People often use cotton swabs to clean their ears. Instead of keeping your ear clean, it can push the earwax deeper inside and even scratch the skin. Moreover, if not stored properly, the swabs can introduce bacteria into the ear, further increasing the risk of ear infection. Instead, if you feel the need to clean your ears, use a damp washcloth or a soft, damp towel to gently wipe the outer ear and behind the ear. “Along with this, one should also avoid inserting sharp objects such as hairpins, keys, etc, which can cause injury to the ear,” says Dr Kumar.

4. Limit exposure to loud noise

Exposure to loud noise for a prolonged period of time can lead to hearing loss. Therefore, protecting your ears from loud noises is crucial for maintaining good hearing and preventing ear damage. Use ear protection such as earplugs or earmuffs when exposed to loud environments such as concerts, construction sites, or sporting events. When listening to music through headphones or earbuds, keep the volume at a moderate level and take breaks to give your ears some rest.

5. Seek professional help

If you experience symptoms of excessive earwax buildup, such as earache, fullness in the ear, or difficulty hearing, seek medical help. “A healthcare provider, typically an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) or a primary care physician, can safely remove stubborn earwax using specialised tools and techniques,” explains Dr Kumar. Avoid attempting to remove deep earwax at home, as this can lead to injury or may cause ear pain.

Apart from these tips, keep a check on your ear health and go for regular checkups, especially if you have a history of ear infections, hearing loss, or other ear-related conditions.