Many people use Q-Tips brand cotton swabs as tool to remove excess ear wax from inside the ear canal, but the Q-Tips box clearly says that the swabs should not be used for this purpose.

she said. “Let’s relieve the self-pressure by releasing the pressure in the ear.” Li explained that the pressure release point can be accessed using a Q-tip. “At the top of the ear ...

An curved arrow pointing right. NYU Otologist Erich Voigt explains the proper way to clean wax out of your ears. Many people think Q-tips can help keep ears clean, but this isn't the case.

So what’s the best way to clean our ears? And is using a cotton swab (or Q-Tip, the name brand that has become synonymous with the soft, fuzzy little tool) really as problematic as we’ve been told?

Q. I’ve been getting lots of ear wax lately. Please tell me this has nothing to do with getting older. A. I wish I could. Ear wax problems are just one more indignity seniors have to deal ...