If you’ve never been told the truth about Q-tips®, you could be in for a real surprise. But first, it’s important to know exactly what we’re talking about. When we say ‘Q-tips®’ in this article, we’re referring to ANY device that has cotton swabs on the end with a stick in the middle. These come in various sizes and have different names. Q-tips® is simply the brand name used by the Unilever company.
Today, we’ll give a brief history behind why Q-tips® were invented. Then, we’ll move into why they’re NOT the best ear cleaning tool. Lastly, we’ll tell you where you can go for professional ear cleaning that’s safe and effective.
The History Behind Q-Tips® Cotton Swabs
The term Q-tips® is actually a registered trademark of Unilever, one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. According to Unilever, these cotton swabs were invented just over 100 years ago in 1923.
A man by the name of Leo Gerstenzang came up with the idea after watching his wife attach cotton wads to toothpicks for use during their baby’s bath time routine. Somewhere along the line, people got the idea that Q-tips® and generic cotton swabs could be used for earwax removal. Little did they know that this practice would turn out to be detrimental to ear health.
The Truth About Q-Tips: 4 Reasons Why They SHOULDN’T Be Used For Cleaning Ears
According to Unilever, Q-tips® are “perfect for arts and crafts, manicures, makeup application, cleaning and more”. But, nowhere do they claim that they’re intended for ear cleaning. Unfortunately, people still haven’t given up on the idea, though. This is evidenced by the fact that we continue to see patients in our audiology clinics who present with impacted earwax made worse by using cotton swabs.
Watch the video below. Here, one of our audiologists shows exactly what happens to an earwax buildup when someone uses Q-tips® to try to remove it.
The truth about Q-tips® and their generic counterparts is that they can often have a negative impact on ear health. Here’s why using cotton swabs for ear cleaning is risky:
- An earwax blockage can be made worse. Cotton swabs can actually push earwax further into the ear canal. This compacts the wax, making it unlikely to come out on its own.
- There’s a higher risk for ear injuries. Anytime you put something in your ear, you run the risk of scratching, cutting, or puncturing the eardrum. If this happens, you may experience pain, discomfort, or even hearing loss.
- The normal earwax removal process is disrupted. In general, the ears are self-cleaning and earwax is used as a protective mechanism for maintaining ear health. It catches dirt, hair, and other debris to help stave off infection. Then, it typically falls out of the ear on its own. Using Q-tips® disrupts the normal cleaning process and can actually lead to MORE earwax production or other problems.
- There is an increased risk of infection. While cotton swabs may remove some bacteria, they also push other bacteria further into the ear. This can increase the possibility for bacteria growth and raise the risk of infection.
Professional Earwax Removal In Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ
Now you know the truth about Q-tips® and generic cotton swabs. While they may come in handy for applying makeup or doing arts and crafts projects, they’re NOT meant for cleaning ears. In fact, many people could actually get by without ear cleaning at all. That is, as long as their body doesn’t produce excess wax and the wax they do have gets sloughed from the ears on its own.
But what happens if you’re one of those ‘unlucky’ individuals whose body produces TOO MUCH earwax? Or, what if the wax you have ISN’T making its way out of your ear on its own? You could be left with an uncomfortable earwax buildup, leading to pain, discomfort, and even temporary hearing loss.
The best and safest solution is professional earwax removal by a healthcare professional. At Advanced Hearing Group, our Mesa and Scottsdale audiologists have the right tools, knowledge, and experience to safely and effectively remove earwax buildups. For most people, the process takes about 15 minutes or less, is usually painless, and can be done as often as needed. We even offer same-day appointments when available, the perfect solution for patients experiencing significant discomfort, pain, or hearing loss.
Simply give us a call to schedule an appointment today and let’s leave Q-tips® where they belong … on the makeup or arts and crafts table and OUT of your ears!
