Health Experts say stop cleaning the inside of your ears - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

Undated (WXOW) - For those who are prone to cleaning the insides of your ears, the word from medical experts, stop immediately.

Most people start probing hoping to remove wax that's built up in the ear canal.  Ear wax, however, is typically soft and should fall out on its own. Sticking anything into our ears can push that wax in further and compact it.

Wax blockage, surprisingly, is one of the most common causes of hearing loss.
Also, there is the chance all that poking around could damage or rupture the ear drum.

Ear wax exists for a reason.  It shields the ear by trapping dust, bacteria and other foreign particles from entering.  It also protects the delicate skin of the ear canal from becoming irritated when water is in the canal.