Cotton buds are in almost every home in Abuja, and they cause most of the blocked ears we treat. Here is why, and what to do instead.
Earwax is not dirt
Earwax protects the ear canal. It traps dust, fights bacteria and keeps the skin from drying out. The canal cleans itself: jaw movement from talking and chewing slowly carries old wax outward, where it falls out or can be wiped off the outer ear.
What cotton buds actually do
A bud removes a little wax from the surface and pushes the rest deeper, packing it against the eardrum. Over weeks it hardens into a plug. That causes the sudden muffled hearing, fullness and popping people describe, often right after a shower, when water makes the plug swell.
Buds, hairpins, keys and matchsticks can also scratch the canal, which can lead to infection, or in the worst cases puncture the eardrum.
What to do instead
- Wipe only the outer ear with a cloth after bathing.
- If you get wax build-up, a few drops of olive oil or pharmacy ear drops for several nights can soften it. Do not use drops if you have ever had a perforated eardrum or ear surgery.
- Hearing aid users, earphone users and people with narrow canals may need a professional clean every 6–12 months.
When you need professional removal
If your ear is completely blocked, hurts, or drops have not helped after a week, have it removed professionally. Microsuction clears most blockages in 15–20 minutes. If you have sudden hearing loss without a feeling of blockage, treat it as urgent and see a doctor the same day.
Reviewed by the Blossom Hearing clinical team. This guide is general information and not a substitute for a personal examination.