You probably clean your ears with Q-Tips-- and even enjoy how satisfying it can be -- but Q-tips aren't the safest method and can actually harm your ears. You can potentially injure your ears or worse, risk hearing loss. Earwax is essential to your ear health, so it's not something you want to remove entirely.

To help you quit Q-tips and prevent hearing loss , we outline safer methods below. Your ears will thank you.

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The problem with Q-tips

The cotton swab, also known as the Q-tip, is the most common device used for cleaning your ears. But their shortcomings highlight the fundamental problem with using these kinds of instruments for earwax removal.

Because of their long, n

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