Self-ear cleaning practices and the associated risk of ear injuries and ear-related symptoms in a group of university students

Abstract

Self-ear cleaning is the insertion of objects into the ear canal to clean it, a widespread practice that has the potential to compromise its integrity as a natural, selfcleansing mechanism, and a risk factor for possible injuries. The practice is common among young adults and highest in university than any other graduates. This study aimed to determine the self-ear cleaning practices and associated risk of injury and related symptoms in undergraduate students at KwaZulu-Natal University. The descriptive survey utilized a self-administered questionnaire. Of the 206 participants that responded, 98% engaged in self-ear cleaning, with 75% indicating that it was beneficial. The commonest method (79.6%) being the use of cotton buds, with an associated injury rate of 2.4%. There was no statistically significant associations between those who used or did not use cotton buds and the symptoms experienced. The complications indicate that self-ear cleaning does pose a risk for injury, necessitating more community information and education.

Self Ear Cleaning: Prevalence and Profile among School Children in Ekiti, Nigeria

“…Also some people feel incomplete if they don't do it particularly after a bath [26]. More than half of our respondents use cotton buds as their commonest object for cleaning their ears which was similar to some report by other authors [4] [27] [28]. The practice of using cotton bud and possibly other objects to scratch ear canal is dangerous, as they may easily cause trauma and subsequently infection may follow.…”

Self-Ear Cleaning Practices and the Associated Risks: A Systematic Review

“…Since these studies were conducted in different settings (educated population, health professionals, university students, rural settings), it can be deduced that the practice of self-ear cleaning is common in all social backgrounds. The prevalence is mainly high in those in their 2 nd -3 rd decades (Amutta et al, 2013;Khan, Thaver, & Govender, 2017;Gadanya et al, 2016;Adegbiji et al, 2018;Olaosun, 2014). Only two studies (Lee, Govindaraju, & Hon, 2005;Adoga & Nimkur, 2013) had peaks in the prevalence in the practice in the 4 th decade.…”

“…Additionally, earwax has antibacterial and antifungal properties (Oladeji, Babatunde, Babatunde, & Sogebi, 2015). According to Khan et al, (2017), self-ear cleaning practices has evidently been found to compromise the integrity of the ear's self-cleansing mechanism.…”

“…Some subjects from all articles reviewed have had complications resulting from self-ear cleaning. According to Khan et al (2017), the most frequently seen complications in the ENT departments are retained cotton bud ends as well as match stick ends stuck in the ear. Other complications of self-ear cleaning include perforated tympanic membrane and otitis externa.…”

“…Self-ear cleaning is the practice of inserting an object into the ear canal with the aim of cleaning the internal part of the ear. However, this practice potentially compromises the integrity of the natural cleansing mechanism of the ear, and pose a risk to possible injuries (Khan, Thaver, & Govender, 2017). It is not uncommon for people to get rid of wax in their ears and it is a global assumption that wax is considered dirt, despite its physiological usefulness of protecting the ear from dust and foreign bodies.…”