I knew using Q-Tips was a bit risky but found out 1 day, I was using a Q-Tip & suddenly I was only hearing in 1 ear only, I must have pushed some wax up in that blocked my ear canal, I tried & tried to get it to at-least dislodge so I could hear better if it didn't come out, I had to put up with not hearing in that ear for 2 or 3 days, I couldn't get it any way I tried, I ordered this kit when it got here it took 3 or 4 times of squirting warm water in my ear before it dislodged & came out, Then I had to get the water out to hear normal again, Now I use it a couple times a month just to be sure that I don't loose hearing due to wax build up, The warm water and the flow of it helps keep the ear-wax in check.