The eardrum divides the outer ear from the middle ear. The eardrum sits between the end of the external ear canal and the auditory ossicles, which are three tiny bones in the middle ear, called the malleus, incus, and stapes.
Can you touch the eardrum?
You can hurt your eardrum if you put them in too far.
Indeed, very few of us have ever touched our eardrum ... and we would likely be jumping in pain if we even got close. The soft cartilage structure at the opening of the ear canal turns into a sensitive bony structure the closer you get to the eardrum.
How can I clean my ears out?
Safe ways to remove earwax
- Ask your doctor to remove the wax in their office.
- Clean the outside of your ear with a damp cloth.
- If you choose to use cotton swabs, don't insert them into the ear canal.
- You can use earwax softener to soften earwax for easier removal.
- You can use a syringe to irrigate your ears.
