The majority of individuals clean their ears incorrectly, often without even realizing it. Tatyana Feldbush, an otolaryngologist and chief physician at the “Alfskrin” children’s clinic, shared with the Tula News Service the mistakes we make and the proper methods for ear care. The primary misconception is the need for regular internal ear cleaning. In reality, earwax is not dirt but the body’s protective barrier. “It’s important to grasp one thing: you shouldn’t clean the inside of your ear. Earwax isn’t grime. It’s a defense mechanism!” the expert emphasizes. Wax moisturizes the skin, shields it from bacteria, and naturally exits the ear without any external assistance. Cotton swabs, contrary to popular belief, do more harm than good. Instead of cleaning, they often push wax deeper into the ear canal. This can lead to impacted earwax, hearing loss, skin micro-trauma, dryness, itching, and otitis externa. There’s also a risk of eardrum perforation. The familiar itchiness following ear cleaning isn’t accidental; it’s a direct consequence of our actions. By removing the wax, we strip the skin of its natural protection, causing it to become overly dry. This provokes itching and the desire to clean again—trapping a person in a vicious cycle.
The rules for ear hygiene are actually extremely straightforward. “In practice, ear care is very simple. You don’t need complicated rituals: just wash your ears during a shower and gently dry them with a towel. That’s sufficient!” states Tatyana Feldbush. Cotton swabs should only be used to clean the outer part of the auricle—never deeper than the entrance to the ear canal. The doctor urges immediate consultation with a specialist rather than self-treatment if one experiences ear pain, discharge, reduced hearing, fullness, or a suspected earwax blockage. Special caution is advised regarding children. “The most frequent error is attempting to thoroughly clean a child’s ear internally. This should not be done. Children have more sensitive ear canals, and the risk of injury is higher,” warns the doctor. The main directive offered by the otolaryngologist is: if there are no complaints, it is best not to touch the ear canal at all. The less intervention, the better the body’s natural defense system functions.
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