Yeah I think it really depends on the type and consistency of your earwax. I’ve been using Q-Tips deep in my ears for my whole life, I assumed now at 32 I had impacted my hearing and had a treasure trove in there, so I bought one of those $20 WiFi ear cams with a scoop you can get from Amazon.

So disappointed, they were sparkling clean. Turns out my ears ARE effectively self cleaning which is why I use the Q-Tips, it helps clean out what my ears have already started ejecting, because that process is wet and itchy.