Blog Post

Cleaning Your Ears

lemaster • March 22, 2018
wrong way to clean ears with q-tip
Put That Cotton Swab Down!

Let’s face it, digging into your ear with a cotton swab can make you feel downright clean and fresh. You see what comes out on the end of that swab and may think “Who wants that in their ears?”. The truth is that earwax is there for a reason and trying to manually remove it yourself can result in impacted ear wax, or worse.

What is the Point of Ear Wax?

First, let’s look at the purpose of ear wax. Earwax is produced by your body and helps trap dirt, bacteria, and debris. Your body is pretty good at naturally moving the ear wax out. Typically, you shouldn’t have any reason to go digging in after it with a foreign object. Talking, chewing, and other jaw movements will help move the earwax to the outer parts of the ear.

Dangers of Cleaning Your Own Ear Canal

A good rule of thumb is to never stick anything in your ear that is smaller than your elbow! Sticking foreign objects into your ear, no matter what your intentions, can have bad outcomes. Two of the most common risks associated with trying to clean one’s own inner ear are puncturing the eardrum and pushing was further into the ear canal, resulting in impacted earwax.

  • Impacted Earwax

    Although most people will never have any reason to clean their inner ears, there is that rare instance when someone will develop impacted ear wax. This is when the wax builds up and stays in the inner ear, instead of moving out naturally. If you have impacted ear wax, chances are you would know it. Common symptoms of impacted ear wax are ringing, aching, impaired hearing, and dizziness. There are a few different reasons why someone may be prone to developing impacted ear wax. The use of hearing devices or earplugs, as well as attempting to clean the inner ear with cotton swabs or other foreign objects are all known to push ear wax further into the ear canal. If you suspect that you may have impacted ear wax, DO NOT try to remove it yourself. An Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Specialist will have the equipment and expertise to safely remove impacted ear wax.
  • Punctured Eardrum

    Your eardrum is one drum that you don’t want to bang on. The eardrum is a delicate membrane, and a cotton swab can easily puncture it. Puncturing an eardrum is painful, and it’s not worth risking it just to see a satisfying glob of wax on your cotton swab. Puncturing your eardrum can also result in something called conductive hearing loss. Aside from not being able to hear as well as you used to, conductive hearing loss can cause pain and pressure in the affected ear and result in a foul odor from within the ear canal.


The Safe Way to Clean Your Ears

So now that the inner ear is thoroughly ruled out, let’s talk about the outer ear. It’s quite simple. Your outer ear can and should be cleaned with a damp washcloth. That’s it! Simply moisten the cloth with some warm water and use it to wipe all areas of the outer ear. Avoid wringing any water into your ear canal, and never let the cloth go into the inner ear.

There should never be any reason for you to clean your own inner ear. If you do suspect a reason to have earwax removed, or if you believe you have caused damage by attempting to clean your inner ear, consult a professional ENT Specialist, like Dr. Erik Sloman-Moll in Laredo, TX. The friendly staff at Dr. Erick Sloman-Molls office would be happy to speak with you!

May 31, 2022
Learn How Sinus Infections Can Affect You
Throat discomfort
February 21, 2022
Throat Discomfort is a common symptom among people in the Laredo, TX area. There are many causes of it. Click here to learn more about them!
January 3, 2022
Breathing Problems & What Can Help
sleep apnea treatment
November 2, 2021
Dr. Erik Sloman-Moll, MD PA is an ENT specialist and physician surgeon serving the Laredo, TX area. Here are some tips he gives his patients in regard to their sleep apnea treatment. Click for more.
By proadAccountId-325444 November 2, 2018
It is important to know the dos and don’ts when it comes to hearing aids in order to keep them working properly and to avoid potential damage. The following is a list of do’s and don’ts to keep your hearing aids performing optimally.
By proadAccountId-325444 September 11, 2018
There’s no doubt about it; today’s hearing aids are discreet, comfortable, and highly effective. But even though you know that you’re not likely to find your grandmother’s (or great-great grandmother’s) hearing aids at a modern doctor’s office, technology is moving quickly enough that it’s hard to keep up with all the advancements being made. We’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of the three most amazing, cutting-edge advancements in hearing aid technology. We hope this list will give you some food for thought, and if you’d like to learn how to access any of this new technology, please give us a call today! Cloud-Based Machine Learning This sounds complicated, so let’s break it down. Basically, modern hearing aids can now access the cloud (i.e., the internet), sharing information with manufacturers and other hearing aids. Because of this, hearing aid manufacturers now have access to reams of data that simply didn’t exist before. They can use this data to drive innovation and improvement, and the hearing aids themselves can learn from the data in the cloud, becoming better and better the longer you use them. Smartphone Integration Many hearing aids already come with integration for a certain type of phone (the one made by a company named after a fruit). Users who had this type of phone could stream music, talk hands-free, watch movie and videos, and more, all right from their hearing aids. However, users who didn’t have this type of phone often felt left out. Now, manufacturers are coming up with systems that use Bluetooth technology to connect with any smartphone. Users will no longer be locked into one type of phone to access the latest bells and whistles. Hearing Aid Sensors Hearing aid manufacturers are experimenting with adding more sensors into smaller and more discreet packages than ever before. Right now, one company is creating hearing aid sensors to detect falls and notify emergency services if one occurs. As time passes and technology develops, hearing aids could become personal assistants, giving turn-by-turn directions, monitoring health data like blood sugar and steps taken, managing schedules, handling calls, and much more – the sorts of things we use our phones, memories, and other people for now. These are just a few of the promising hearing aid advancements of today. There are many more in development! However, no matter how hearing aid technology advances, you can count on us to remain ahead of the curve and committed to connecting you with the hearing aid that works for you. If you have questions or want to learn more about any of this new hearing aid technology, please contact us today!
By lemaster May 17, 2018
Learn about the benefits and potential dangers of using neti pots for nasal irrigation.
By lemaster January 17, 2018
Hearing loss can be a struggle, not only for the individual experiencing the hearing loss but also for their friends and loved ones. No one enjoys shouting to be heard, and those experiencing hearing loss can often feel a sense of isolation, due to not being able to hear those around them. Sometimes individuals experiencing hearing loss are hesitant to address the issue or in denial. Hearing loss is unfortunately associated with old age and can be perceived as a sign of deteriorating health. Many individuals with hearing loss feel there is a stigma associated with wearing a hearing device. There are a few effective ways to approach this delicate subject with your loved one. Have your loved one speak with an audiologist. Some individuals have an easier time speaking about hearing loss with a medical professional, rather than a friend or family member. Don’t make it seem like hearing loss is your loved one’s problem. Explain how their hearing loss is affecting those around them. Knowing that their family members are concerned about their isolation can be enough to convince some individuals that they should consider a hearing appliance. This also makes it less about them, and more of a whole family matter. If your loved one is worried about how a hearing aid may look, inform them of many advances in hearing aids. Some modern hearing aids are very comfortable and discrete. Maintaining a positive attitude when approaching this subject is key. Make sure your loved one knows that you’re in this with them and that your goal is to make sure they are not alone in this. If you or your loved one may be in need of a hearing aid in the Laredo, TX area, give the experts at Sloman-Moll Erik MD PA a call.
Share by: