Once and for all, is it poor practice to stick Q-tips in your ears?

I hear it from both sides. It’s bad, it’s OK.

I have been sticking Q-tips in my ears since high school. I always thought it was an important personal hygiene issue, like flossing my teeth or trimming my toenails.

My hearing is compromised but it is noise related (gunfire and explosions) and not impacted ear wax.

But, perhaps I’ve been wrong.