Ear buds are vigorously marketed and promoted all over the world as an essential part of day to day grooming and hygiene. FYI Ear canals do not require any cleaning. Wax is not waste generated by the ear. It has essential functions. It coats the canal and protects it from infections due to its antibacterial properties. Obsessive cleaning of the canal with buds exposes the delicate skin to infections and moulds. Moreover, buds are not designed to clear wax. All they do is push the wax deeper into the canal where it gets impacted requiring removal by an ENT. Buds also pose another serious danger, that of injuring the tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane is incredibly thin and delicate and a probing bud can easily injure it leading to pain, bleeding and worse, hearing loss. Like cigarettes , buds should come with statutory warnings. If you truly care for your ears, just leave them alone.... Simple !!!