Many people have a habit of digging their ears with cotton buds, hairpins, or even the end of a key to clean earwax. Although it seems trivial, this habit can be dangerous and risk damaging the eardrum, which plays an important role in the hearing process. If the eardrum is damaged, a person can experience hearing loss to serious ear infections.
One of the main dangers of ear digging is pushing earwax (cerumen) deeper. Cerumen actually functions to protect the ear from dust, dirt, and bacteria. If pushed too deep, the wax can block the ear canal, causing hearing loss and increasing the risk of infection. In addition, excessive use of tools such as cotton buds can cause irritation and injury in the ear, which makes the ear more susceptible to infection.
Worse still, digging too deeply into your ears can injure or even rupture your eardrum. The eardrum is a very sensitive, thin membrane, and if it ruptures or becomes perforated, it can cause pain, hearing loss, and in some cases, fluid leaking from the ear due to infection. These injuries often take a long time to heal and in some cases may require further medical intervention.
To maintain ear health, it is best to avoid the habit of digging your own ears. If your ears feel full or blocked, use special ear drops that can help soften the wax so that it comes out on its own. If earwax has accumulated and causes discomfort, it is best to see an ENT doctor so that it can be cleaned with a safe method.
And if the ear gets water while bathing or swimming, do not dry it with a cotton bud. Just use a tissue rolled up small and put it in the ear to absorb the water until dry.
Ear digging is not a safe way to clean your ears. Instead, this habit can actually cause eardrum damage, hearing loss, and infection. Therefore, start to stop ear digging and use safer methods to maintain ear hygiene without endangering hearing health.
Article written by dr. Josuadi Siregar, Sp.THT-BKL (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, EMC Pulomas Hospital).