A HARVARD-educated doctor warns to stop cleaning your ears with a common product or risk total hearing loss.
A doctor who graduated from Harvard University has revealed an old-age ear cleaning technique that can cause total hearing loss – and is urging people to stop before it’s too late.
Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, often shares his advice and expertise with his 1.3 million followers on Instagram (@doctor.sethi).
The 42-year-old previously shared how “on-the-go” breakfasts and drinking coffee first thing are “wrecking” the gut.
Now, the doctor, from California, has shared the extent of damage cotton buds, otherwise known as Q-tips, can do to the ears, reports NeedToKnow.
“If you read the label on the box, it literally says do not insert into the ear canal,” he said in the clip, which has racked up 215,000 views and over 3,000 likes.
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“Yet, most people still do. And that’s where the damage begins.”
Dr. Sethi explains that ears are actually self-cleaning, saying, “Earwax is there for a reason.
“It traps dust and bacteria, protects your ear canal, and naturally works its way out on its own.”
When a cotton bud is inserted, he claims that our ears aren’t actually being cleaned.
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The doctor added, “You’re pushing the wax deeper, where it can block the canal, cause pain, infections, or even rupture the eardrum.”
He references a study which found that 70% of ear injuries were caused by cotton tip applicators.
Dr. Sethi said, “I know it feels satisfying, but that short-term relief can come at the cost of your hearing.”
Users have flocked to the comments to share their reactions.
“How do I achieve my eargasm then?” one person asked.
Someone else added, “If it’s not cleaning the wax out of my ear, then why is there wax on the end of the Q-tip every time I take it out?”
Another person wrote, “Just caused an ear infection a few weeks ago doing this.
“Had to live with muffled hearing for weeks and was put on antibiotics due to an infection.
“Will not be doing this again. Throw cotton tips away.”
