Stop! The Hidden Dangers of Cotton Buds You Didn’t Know

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Experts Warn Against Using Cotton Buds in Ears — Linked to Hearing Loss and Serious Injuries





A common hygiene routine might be quietly damaging your hearing. Health professionals are sounding the alarm on the hidden dangers of using cotton buds to clean inside your ears — a habit many see as harmless but could result in serious, even irreversible, damage.

Dr. Tonia L. Farmer, a board-certified otolaryngologist in Ohio, emphasises that cotton swabs were never designed for ear cleaning. “They really weren’t made to clean your ears,” she explained. “Most people don’t realise that using them can push the wax further in and cause impaction, pain, or even a ruptured eardrum.”




The human ear, she says, is naturally self-cleaning. Everyday actions like talking or chewing help wax slowly move out of the ear canal. Interfering with this process by inserting objects, such as cotton buds, can block the canal, trap bacteria, and damage delicate inner structures.

Dr. Farmer warns, “Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear,” echoing a phrase widely used by ENT doctors.

The consequences can be alarming. A study published in The Journal of Paediatrics found that over 260,000 children in the U.S. were treated in emergency rooms for ear injuries caused by cotton swabs over a 20-year period. For adults, damage may range from minor irritations to infections, hearing loss, or even surgeries.

In response to these dangers, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery has updated its official guidelines, urging people to avoid using cotton swabs or any other objects to clean inside their ears.

Instead, if earwax becomes a real issue — causing hearing loss, ringing, or a feeling of fullness — professional care is strongly advised. Safer home options may include:


Over-the-counter ear drops to soften wax,



Gentle warm water rinses using a rubber bulb syringe.

But even these, Dr. Farmer notes, should be used with care. “If you experience discomfort or pain, stop immediately and consult a specialist,” she advised.

Her final takeaway is simple: “Let your ears do what they’re made to do. In most cases, no intervention is necessary at all.”

Health professionals continue to stress that while cotton swabs may seem like an innocent hygiene tool, they pose real and avoidable risks. When in doubt, leave it to the experts.




#HealthAlert #EarCare #StopUsingCottonBuds #HearingHealth #ENTAdvice #SafeCleaning #HealthTips #WellnessDaily



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