Should we be using cotton buds to clean our ears?

• Cotton buds can push wax deeper into the ear canal rather than removing it, potentially causing impaction and hearing loss
• The ear canal is self-cleaning; excessive cleaning with cotton buds disrupts natural wax clearance and increases risk of infection
• Healthcare professionals should counsel patients to avoid cotton bud use and instead seek medical review if experiencing ear discomfort or cerumen impaction

Greg Foot asks whether we should be using cotton buds to clean our ears.

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