I agree that q-tips are next to useless but, there's a much better solution. In Japan, instead of q-tips, they use little (very little) bamboo spoons that are

I agree that q-tips are next to useless but, there's a much better solution. In Japan, instead of q-tips, they use little (very little) bamboo spoons that are super effective at scooping out ear wax. They are about no more prone to mistakes than q-tips. Check out the Japanese specialty store near you, you'll never go back to q-tips.