"Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear." It's the kind of thing you may have heard your grandmother say, but, for the most part, it’s true, says Dr. Bradley Kesser, an ear, nose and ...

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.

Medicare Part B doesn’t cover routine ear cleanings, but it will cover medically necessary ear irrigation and manual disimpaction to treat serious earwax buildup that causes pain or hearing issues.

Earwax is a natural ear protector. Most people do not need to clean their ears. Inserting objects like cotton buds can push wax deeper, causing blockages and irritation. Experts advise against ...