Our ears are frequently what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our busy day-to-day lives. There are some common but hazardous practices, like making use of cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we explore four essential ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Bid farewell to ear candling
In spite of the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to clear away earwax has recently gained some popularity. It’s believed that a vacuum is created when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the opposite end is lit theoretically pulling impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also extremely risky.
You might be putting your hearing in jeopardy by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the sensitive 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 consists of candle wax and debris rather than extracted earwax.
In light of these findings, medical experts universally warn against the use of ear candling. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) caution against this practice, emphasizing safer methods for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is indisputable, with many people turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. But there are more dangers than advantages to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Rather than effectively removing earwax, swabs can accidentally pack wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and potential injury.
The delicate nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can happen, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To prevent these complications, it is advisable to refrain from inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend upon the ear’s self-cleaning systems or seek professional help if necessary.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are continuously bombarded by sounds of differing intensities. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from going to sporting events and concerts to walking down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s crucial to use hearing protection and, if you can, avoid excessively loud settings in order to avoid damage. This includes wearing ear protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy environments and restricting exposure to loud sounds whenever you can.
In addition, when utilizing personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help preserve hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some degree of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from damage. In spite of the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, delaying intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate management.
It’s essential to recognize common signs of hearing loss, such as difficulty understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. Make an appointment with us right away if you encounter any of these symptoms. Early detection and intervention can substantially improve outcomes and enhance your quality of life.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are paramount in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning symptoms.
Call us immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.