Maintaining ear health involves understanding safe cleaning practices and avoiding harmful methods. Earwax protects the ears, but buildup can cause impaction, leading to discomfort and hearing issues.

Doctors specializing in multiple areas of ear care explain how to maintain optimal ear health without overdoing it.

You've probably used cotton swabs to clean your ears. Here's why ENTs say you shouldn't. (Getty Images) "Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear." It's the kind of thing you may have ...

That satisfying feeling when you twist a cotton swab in your ear? It might be setting you up for months of spinning rooms and unsteady walking. Millions of people have an ear cleaning habit that’s ...

Nicole Kramer (@nicolekramer) recently amassed over 4 million views after using a viral hack involving hydrogen peroxide to treat ear issues. But is this a safe remedy? In her video, Kramer claims to ...

A medical professional can complete the cleaning in one or two sessions, manually clearing the ear canal, or using warm water ...

Doctors agree you shouldn't clean your ears by sticking Q-tips in them. Otolaryngologist Dennis Fitzgerald explains why it feels so good and why it's so bad. Now, a disclaimer. NPR is not responsible ...

Using cotton swaps inside your ear can cause damage, impacted earwax, or infection. If your ears feel plugged up, a healthcare professional can clean them. Many people use cotton swabs to clean their ...

Earbuds, often thought to clean earwax, actually cause harm by pushing wax deeper, irritating the ear canal, and increasing infection risks. Your ears are self-cleaning; this habit disrupts the ...