In the hectic frenzy 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 dangerous practices. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Say good by to ear candling
Despite the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to eliminate earwax has recently gained 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 theoretically drawing impurities out. However, several studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You might be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. Burns to the sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Normally, if you notice any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
Medical professionals always discourage ear candling because of these findings. There are safer ways to clean your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) advise against using them.
Banish the cotton swabs
The allure of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these seemingly innocuous tools for maintenance. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more risks than benefits. Instead of effectively removing earwax, swabs can inadvertently jam wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and possible injury.
The eardrum is delicate and objects such as cotton swabs can cause significant damage. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, leading to pain, infection, and hearing loss. It would be better to obtain professional help if necessary or otherwise depend on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of differing intensities. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Nonetheless, prolonged or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential to utilize hearing protection and, if possible, avoid excessively loud settings in order to prevent damage. Whenever you can’t avoid very loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of sustaining optimal hearing health is being alert to the signals your ears provide and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. In spite of the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, holding off on intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate management.
It’s crucial to identify common signs of hearing impairment, such as trouble understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. Schedule an appointment with us right away if you experience 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 vital in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
If you think that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.