Proper ear care will protect your hearing and the effectiveness of your hearing aids. The best way to clean your ears is not to clean them. Your ears are self-cleaning. Cotton swabs and ear candles can damage your ear drum, which can lead to conductive hearing loss. See your hearing healthcare professional if you are experiencing excessive wax buildup. Protect your ears if you work or live in a noisy environment. Your ears are sensitive, and experiencing sounds above 85 decibels can damage your hearing—permanently. Wear protective earmuffs or earplugs if you know you’re going to be exposed to loud noises.