Ask the Audiologist – Will QTips damage my hearing?

Posted by HearingAids on October 26, 2010 under Ask The Audiologist Q&A, Hearing Loss | Be the First to Comment

Dear HearingAids.com

I clean my ears with cutips every day, after I shower. Will that habit damage my hearing? What purpose does ear wax serve? Ok, and this part is gross: but what is the significance of the color and texture of your ear wax (being clear and oil-ish vs a deep yellow and thick)?

These really are my questions.haa Luckily I know about your blog and can ask! Thanks is advance!

Sincerely,
Vivian

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While Q-tips are very popular for cleaning ears, they can be very dangerous and are generally not recommended by hearing healthcare professionals. Earwax (cerumen) is made in the outer ear canal and is basically a mixture of 40 %secretions from cerumen glands, 40% dead skin sloughed off from canal skin, and 20% dust/dirt from our environment. This concoction presents itself in a variety of consistencies and colors based on genetics, age, and environment. The longer the earwax is exposed to air (“old” cerumen) the darker the color.

Ear wax is a good and useful “tool” of the human body as it is a natural deterrent to insects who might be looking for a home in the cozy and dark ear-canal space. Additionally, earwax will naturally keep the skin of the ear canal lubricated and free of dead skin sloughs. The ear canal hair naturally allows ear wax to migrate to the external ear canal entrance for easy removal with a washcloth.

- Suzanne