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 ...

We independently review everything we recommend. We may get paid to link out to retailer sites, and when you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Annemarie Conte Annemarie ...

You may have been taught to clean your ears with a Q-tip or cotton swab -- and even enjoy how satisfying it can be -- but Q-tips aren't the safest method and can actually harm your ears. After all, ...

The ear canal is a small, tube-like pathway that extends from the outer ear to the eardrum. A range of health problems can affect this sensitive area, including infection, inflammation, and injury. In ...

The ears produce wax, a natural compound that protects the ear canal. When it accumulates, you need to remove it to prevent your ears from developing hearing difficulties. When you clean the ear, it’s ...

Cerumen impaction is a prevalent condition that can result in discomfort, hearing difficulties and, potentially, a broader impact on quality of life. The accumulation of earwax, a naturally protective ...

The most common cause of an ear canal that’s swollen shut is a bacterial infection known as swimmer’s ear, but there a few other potential causes. A swollen ear canal is a common condition that ...

Some people use rubbing alcohol to treat various ear conditions, such as swimmers’ ear or middle and inner ear infections. Rubbing alcohol is also known as isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. People ...

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 ...