The cough response caused while cleaning the ear canal is mediated by stimulation of-

“Irritation of the auricular branches of the vagus in the external ear (by ear wax, syringe, etc.) may reflexly cause cough, vomiting, or even death due to sudden cardiac inhibition.” Auricular branch of the vagus nerve is also known as Arnold’s nerve or Alderman’s nerve. Also Know Similarly irritation of recurrent laryngeal nerve by enlarged lymph nodes in children may also produce a persistent cough.