In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these common yet perilous practices. What follows are a few practices you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Despite the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to remove earwax has recently achieved some popularity. It’s believed that a vacuum is produced when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the other end is lit supposedly pulling impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also very risky.
You may be putting your hearing in jeopardy by using a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Furthermore, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently is comprised of candle wax and debris rather than extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always discourage ear candling because of these findings. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) advise against using them.
No more cotton swabs
The allure of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these apparently harmless tools for maintenance. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more dangers than advantages. Rather than effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can accidentally push wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and possible injury.
The eardrum is delicate and objects like cotton swabs can cause considerable damage. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can occur, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To prevent these complications, it is beneficial to refrain from inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead rely on the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional help if necessary.
Be mindful of the volume: protect against loud noise
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by noises of all different volume levels. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Nonetheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
To decrease the threat of hearing damage, it is critical to be aware of noise levels and take proactive steps to safeguard your ears. This includes using ear protection, including earmuffs or earplugs, in loud settings and restricting exposure to loud noises whenever possible.
In addition, when utilizing personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help maintain hearing health.
If you observe any symptoms, act quickly
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some level of hearing loss is essential to protect your ears from harm. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will probably exacerbate the problem.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, trouble understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s important that you acknowledge it. If any of these symptoms are encountered, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Early detection and intervention can substantially improve results and improve your quality of life.
Your ability to effectively navigate the landscape of your life is dependent on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. By embracing these four practices, avoiding ear candling and cotton swabs, protecting against loud noise, and understanding early warning signs, we can maintain our precious sense of hearing and enjoy the symphony of sounds that enhance our existence.
If you think that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.