Cotton Buds: Reasons Not to Use Them

Cotton buds are the leading cause of trauma to the eardrum.

In our society, earwax is often associated with poor hygiene, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Wax, or cerumen, is a natural substance that plays essential roles in ear health. In this article, we’ll explain why earwax matters, the risks of using cotton buds, and safer alternatives for cleaning.

Cotton buds

Spoiler alert: this practice is strongly discouraged, but first let’s look at why earwax actually serves a purpose.

What earwax does

Cerumen is a mixture of gland secretions and dead skin cells. Despite its bad reputation, wax serves several vital functions:

1. Protecting the ear: Wax acts as a protective barrier, trapping dust, dirt and other external agents, stopping them from reaching deep into the ear canal. This helps prevent possible infections or damage to the eardrum.
2. A natural cleaning system: The ear has a natural cleaning mechanism, where wax, along with any trapped particles, is gradually pushed towards the outside. This happens thanks to the natural movement of the jaw when talking, chewing or yawning.
3. Preventing infections: Wax has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help prevent ear infections. Its presence slows the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause problems such as otitis.

Although these functions are crucial, there are times when earwax builds up excessively, forming blockages that affect hearing. This is where many people turn to cotton buds.

How does the ear clean itself?

As mentioned above, the ear has a self-cleaning system. As the skin grows, old wax moves towards the outermost part of the ear, where it’s easier to remove. Usually, a simple rinse with warm water while showering is enough to remove the excess wax that reaches the outside.

However, this natural process sometimes fails, and that’s when annoying earwax blockages can form. These blockages can partially or fully block the ear canal, affecting your hearing and causing discomfort such as ringing, headaches, or a feeling of pressure.

The best way to avoid these blockages is to have regular check-ups at our hearing centre in Valencia, which lets us detect a blockage in its early stages and refer you to an ENT doctor for removal. We recommend a hearing check-up at least once a year, although anyone who produces a lot of earwax should have one more often.

In our article How to Clean Your Ears, we go into more detail.

Problems cotton buds can cause

Many people think cotton buds are the quickest, easiest way to keep their ears clean. However, using cotton buds can actually be counterproductive and dangerous. Here are the main problems they cause:

1. Encouraging earwax blockages

When you insert a cotton bud into your ear, instead of removing the wax, you’re most likely pushing it further into the ear canal. This can cause a bigger, more compacted blockage to form, making it harder to remove and potentially requiring professional intervention.

2. Perforating the eardrum

Improper use of cotton buds can cause serious ear damage, including a perforated eardrum. A study published in JAMA assessed 949 patients with eardrum trauma and found that 61.2% of them had suffered trauma from inserting objects into the ear, with cotton buds responsible in 44.9% of cases.

A perforated eardrum is a painful injury that can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss, as well as serious infections. What’s more, repairing a perforated eardrum can require surgery, which highlights the unnecessary risk of using cotton buds.

3. Irritating the ear canal

Repeated use of cotton buds can irritate the delicate lining of the ear canal, causing redness, itching, and even infections. Sometimes, fibres from the cotton bud can get trapped in the canal, which can increase the risk of infection and damage the skin of the ear.

Common myths about cotton buds

Using cotton buds has been normalised for decades, partly due to a lack of clear information about the risks. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths about using cotton buds on your ears:

1. “Cotton buds are safe if used carefully”

Although many people believe they can use cotton buds safely if they’re careful, the reality is that even the most careful handling can still cause problems. The ear canal is very delicate, and any object inserted into it, including a cotton bud, has the potential to cause harm.

2. “Cotton buds are necessary to keep ears clean”

The ear has a natural self-cleaning mechanism that, in most cases, is enough to keep the ear canal free of wax and dirt. Using cotton buds isn’t just unnecessary — it can interfere with this natural process and cause more problems than it solves.

3. “Earwax is dirty and should be removed”

As we’ve mentioned, earwax serves several protective functions. It’s not just not dirty — it’s actually essential for ear health. Removing it completely could leave the ear vulnerable to infection and damage.

If you feel you have excess wax, or experience discomfort such as ringing, hearing loss, or a blocked-ear feeling, it’s best to visit a hearing centre for a professional assessment. At BienestarAudio, in Valencia, we offer regular check-ups to make sure your hearing health is in top condition.

Cotton buds: conclusion

Using cotton buds is a common practice, but one that’s strongly discouraged. Not only is it ineffective at cleaning earwax, it can also cause serious problems, such as a perforated eardrum or bigger earwax blockages.

Earwax is a natural defence mechanism that protects our ears, and removing it should be done carefully, under professional supervision when necessary.

At BienestarAudio, your hearing centre in Valencia, we’re committed to our patients’ hearing health. Don’t hesitate to visit us for a check-up and personalised advice on properly looking after your ears. Your hearing is our priority!

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