50+ Lifestyles

How Bad are Q-Tips?

By Dr. Molly Parker
Audiologist and Owner
Parker Audiology, P.C.

Dr. Alison Soto
Audiologist
Parker Audiology, P.C.

Never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow.

Many hear this advice from parents, physicians and audiologists. Yet millions of cotton swabs (“Q-Tips”) are inserted into ears every year. At Parker Audiology, PC, we remove wax from people’s ears, including some QTip cotton fibers.  Fortunately in most cases there is no harmful effect.  But why the advice? QTips are linked to some notable and occasionally harmful events.

Ruptured eardrums.  Cotton swabs making contact against the eardrum can be painful but if the swab is pushed through the eardrum, then the harm can be more serious. Outcomes can include ear pain, damage to the ossicles (bones behind the eardrum), tinnitus, hearing loss and even dizziness. Fortunately according to a study by the Henry Ford Hospital most cases—97%– heal spontaneously on their own within two months. ENT attention is needed if there is long term damage.  If you suspect a perforation, call your physician.

Chronic Itchiness and Irritation of the skin.  In some people, chronic itchiness drives them to reach for the swabs. The swabs irritate the skin, causing more itchiness. This results in a loop that only worsens the skin into a flaking irritation that can look similar to psoriasis in the ear canal. While difficult and irritating, it is bery necessary to immediately stop using QTips. It is a self-feeding problem-the more you scratch the more irritated the ear canal gets and the itchier it gets. Occasionally it is necessary to ask your physician if there is a product (ointment, drop, etc) to help.

Wax impactions: This is the most common side effect. In many cases swab use will bulldoze wax deep in to the ear canal causing a blockage of wax. When this is up against the eardrum, this can be very difficult to get out. Occasionally an ear specialist is necessary to get difficult impactions out. Even a small amount of wax can affect hearing aid use; I watch my patients and diligently remove their wax if I suspect it will degrade performance in hearing.  Debrox or Miracell can help. If you have questions abou the proper way to remove wax, call your physician for advice.

A comment about ear drainage: Many people report that they have a small amount of clear, sticky drainage that smells like wax when they touch the inside of their ear. This can feel itchy, much like water evaporating off your skin.   In many cases, this clear dampness is the beginnings of traditional wax developing.  When I think of ear drainage, I usually consider the color of drainage (clear, green, white, dark brown; the odor (smell of infection vs. wax); the amount of drainage (does it run down the side of your ear or do you only feel it slightly when you touch your ear canal); and where I see it in the canal (at the entrance of the ear canal or near the eardrum.  If you have questions about your ears, contact your physician for an exam or for advice.

If you suspect damage from QTip use or any other ear abnormality, stop by on Walk In Wednesdays 9-noon so our staff Audiologists can check your ears. We will team up with your physician to make sure you receive excellent hearing care. Or, call for your appointment today for a hearing consultation – (563) 326-5441.

Dr. Molly Parker has been practicing Audiology in the Quad Cities for 17 years. She is the owner of Parker Audiology, PC. Call Dr. Alison Soto or Dr. Molly Parker today for an appointment at (563) 265-8003.