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.

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 ...

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.

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 ...

If you’re ashamed to take your earbuds out of your ears in public because of what might be caked inside them and yet too disgusted to clean them at home, you better believe there’s a Kickstarter ...

Ear wax, medically known as cerumen, serves as your body’s natural cleaning and protection system for the ears. While some odor is normal, understanding when that smell signals a problem can help ...

You can clean your ears at home with a damp washcloth or over-the-counter drops. If your ears are impacted, a doctor can remove wax buildup. Do your ears feel blocked up? Excess wax can accumulate ...