So I don't remember how old I was, but as a kid I liked cleaning me ears out with Q-tips. Until a somehow slipped, and accidentally jammed it in my ear. Thankfully I missed my eardrum, but I actually tore part of my inner ear, and created a blood clot in my ear canal. It had to be slowly dissolved with a solution dripped into my ear.
It's embarrassing, and I don't know how I slipped in this way, but it happened. I wasn't being aggressive or careless, either. So.. it is true you shouldn't stick them in your ears! Also, it can actually compact the wax deeper, and can make things worse.
You can buy a solution to drip in your ears that kind melts the wax and it'll drip out. Though you can actually go to the doctor and they can blast your ear with warm water to clear out the wax. It's super weird but feels good. XD
now the whole forum knows way too much about my ears
(Also my eardrum exploded once! =D )