Some do, some don't. Whether your ears are virgin territory or as mined out as the West Rand, you should consider these Low Density Polyethylene (recyclable category #4) buds, as you never know when you might need them. Tips are designed to extract rather than push like conventional cotton buds. The Utility Tip is the best and safest way to clean your ears. The Utility Tip picks up at least 90% more earwax than a cotton swab. The Utility Tip is doctor recommended by Morgan G. Yost, a board-certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat surgeon). The beauty of these are that they are re-usable, clean them, dry then and stick them back in the pack. This product will replace those pesky buds that has nowhere else to go but to end up in our beautiful oceans. 16 units per pack. Some answers to your questions here.