BUFFALO, N.Y. — Removing ear wax may sound humorous, unless you need it done. Then it can be a personal emergency that can hinder hearing and cause pain. The need is more prevalent among older people.

Maintaining ear health involves understanding safe cleaning practices and avoiding harmful methods. Earwax protects the ears, but buildup can cause impaction, leading to discomfort and hearing issues.

There are different ideas about how to clean your ears. Doctors generally agree that putting anything inside your ear is a bad idea. Your ears usually do a good job cleaning themselves and don’t need ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. You've probably used cotton swabs to clean your ears. Here's why ENTs say you shouldn't. (Getty Images) (LaylaBird via Getty ...

It's a habit so ingrained it feels almost automatic: grabbing a cotton swab to clean out your ears after a shower. For many, the satisfaction of seeing earwax on the tip provides a deceptive sense of ...