All adult ear canals are the same shape and size

TRUE AND FALSE.
The outer ear canal is fairly similar in most adults. It is about 3 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. However the overall form can vary widely from one adult to another, especially in terms of the angle and shape of the cross-section, which can be either flattened or circular.
Due to the ear canal’s physiology, sufficient air circulation is needed to regulate the quality and quantity of earwax produced. For instance, if the angle of the ear canal is too sharp or if its cross-section is too narrow, excess earwax could be produced and not sufficiently evacuated.

Everybody’s earwax is the same

FALSE.
Earwax can vary from one person to another depending on several factors, such as:

• Genes (Westerners tend to have thick, brownish earwax, whereas Asians tend to have dry, greyish earwax);
• Climate;
• Skin conditions like eczema, dyshidrosis, and psoriasis; and
• Underlying conditions like bronchitis.

Excess earwax can cause deafness

FALSE.
Earwax build-up simply prevents sound waves from reaching the ear drum. Removing the build-up takes care of the problem.
The greatest risk to hearing is injury caused by the careless use of instruments to remove earwax.

Regular cotton swabs can be dangerous to the ear

TRUE.
Cotton swabs are potentially dangerous in two ways. First, they can injure the ear canal lining by producing a small wound on the back side of the ear canal. Second, and more seriously, cotton swabs can injure the eardrum itself. The extent of such injuries can vary from a slight contusion to ear drum perforation. To avoid injury, do not insert cotton swabs or similar instruments more than 1 cm inside the ear.
To clean your ears safely, carefully rub the swab along the back wall of the ear canal (where the glands that produce earwax are located), while gently twisting the swab from top to bottom.