Ear Care 101: The Biggest Ear Care Mistakes (and What We Recommend Instead!)
All Ears Explained

Ear Care 101: The Biggest Ear Care Mistakes (and What We Recommend Instead!)

Authored by the All Ears Nurse Leadership Team

If you’ve ever reached for a cotton swab or felt tempted to scoop out a little earwax with something you bought online, know that you are not alone. Almost every patient who walks into an All Ears studio has tried some form of DIY ear care before coming to us. And we get it! When your ears feel clogged or itchy, it is natural to want instant relief.

But here is the truth no one tells you: most DIY methods make earwax problems worse, not better.

As nurses, we spend a lot of time undoing the damage caused by tools that were never designed for the ear canal. So let’s break down the biggest mistakes we see, why they cause issues, and what we recommend instead.


Why DIY Ear Cleaning Usually Backfires

Your ear canal is delicate, narrow, and lined with skin that is thinner than tissue paper. It also has a natural self-cleaning system. When you insert objects into your ear, you interrupt that system and risk pushing earwax deeper.

This is why people often tell us their symptoms suddenly got worse after they tried to clean things out on their own.

Earwax is supposed to move outward. When you reverse that flow, you set yourself up for impaction, irritation, and discomfort.

 

Mistake 1: The Cotton Swab Habit

Cotton swabs are designed for the outer ear, but they almost always end up inside the canal. Once they are inside, they act like a plunger. Instead of removing earwax, they push it deeper.

This trapped wax can create fullness, muffled hearing, itching, or even temporary hearing loss. It can also scratch the skin inside the canal, which increases the risk of infection.

If you take one thing from this article, let it be this. Your ear canal is a cotton swab free zone.

Mistake 2: Bobby Pins, Keys, and Other Sharp Objects

This one still makes nurses flinch. Sharp objects can puncture the skin of the canal or, in the worst cases, perforate the eardrum. We have treated patients who tried to remove hardened earwax only to create cuts that made everything worse.

If it belongs in your hair, your pocket, or your toolbox, it does not belong anywhere near your ear canal.

Mistake 3: Unregulated At-Home Tools That Promise Too Much

The videos online can be satisfying, but cleaning at home with DIY devices can be risky. Without training on anatomy or depth perception, it is easy to scrape the canal or push earwax further in. 

These tools also have no real suction strength and lack the safety controls found in clinical devices.

When the ear feels blocked, a gadget that looks high tech can be tempting. But more technology does not equal more safety.

Mistake 4: Ear Candling

Ear candling is one of the most persistent myths in ear care. We see it so often that it deserves its own category.

Here is the reality. Ear candles do not remove earwax. They create debris that people often mistake for wax. They can also cause burns, blockages, and injuries. If you have ever wondered why clinicians do not offer ear candling, this is why.

There is no proven benefit, but there are very real risks.


Signs You Are Making the Problem Worse

If any of these feel familiar, it may be time to step away from DIY methods.

  • Your ears feel more blocked than before

  • Sounds seem muted or far away

  • You itch even more after trying to clean

  • You notice discomfort when chewing or yawning

  • Your ears feel wet or irritated long after your attempt

These symptoms usually point to impaction or irritation that needs professional care.


What Nurses Recommend Instead

Healthy ear care is not about doing more. It is about doing the right things consistently.

  • Clean the outer ear only: A soft washcloth is enough.

  • Let the canal handle itself: The ear is self-cleaning by design.

  • Use softening drops only if appropriate: Dry earwax can benefit from drops, but they are not safe for everyone. Anyone with a perforation, tubes, or recent ear surgery should avoid them.

  • Get periodic professional cleanings: For most people, every 3 to 6 months is ideal. If you regularly struggle with itching, fullness, or hardware like hearing aids, you may benefit from more frequent visits.

  • Choose a device that was designed for your safety: At All Ears, we use OtoSet, the first FDA-cleared ear cleaning device of its kind. It uses warm water irrigation and microsuction to safely remove earwax in minutes. We evaluate every ear before starting to ensure treatment is safe and appropriate for your anatomy.


The Bottom Line

Your ears deserve care that keeps them healthy, not habits that make them work harder. With the right routine and safe professional support, you can prevent buildup, avoid irritation, and enjoy clearer hearing year round.

If your ears feel off or if you are ready to retire your cotton swabs for good, we would love to help.

Find your nearest All Ears Ear Care Studio at VisitAllEars.com.

Previous
Next