Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Using cotton swabs is not a safe or effective method for cleaning your ears. You may have been taught to clean your ears with a ...

NBC Select independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more. Bethany Heitman Contributing Editor We don’t always have ...

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 ...

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You may have been taught to clean your ears with a Q-tip or cotton swab -- and even enjoy how satisfying it can be -- but Q-tips aren't the safest method and can actually harm your ears. After all, ...