Comment by latexr

Anecdotally, I call bullshit. I cleaned my ears for decades with q-tips and never had an issue. Then I stopped due to the advice that they’re harmful and my ears began clogging up with earwax to the point that I stopped hearing. This happened so often that I required frequent trips to the doctor to unclog the ear canal. I eventually decided to say “screw it” and resumed using q-tips. Haven’t had an issue since. It frankly baffles me to see stories of people rupturing their ears drums with them. Maybe don’t shove them in your ear like you’re a knight driving a lance through a dragon’s heart? Be reasonably careful and listen your body and cotton swabs can be a useful tool.