In the hectic frenzy of day-to-day life, our ears frequently bear the brunt of neglect and inadvertent harm. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these common yet dangerous practices. Below, we delve into four essential ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Ear candling is a no-no
Despite the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to remove earwax has recently achieved 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 allegedly pulling impurities out. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could be putting your hearing in peril by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the delicate 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.
No more cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many people turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more risks than advantages. Rather than effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can accidentally pack wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and potential injury.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, leading to pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To avoid these complications, it is advisable to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend on the ear’s self-cleaning systems or seek professional help if needed.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of varying volumes. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from going to sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have negative effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s essential to use ear protection and, if possible, avoid overly loud settings in order to prevent damage. This includes using ear protection, including earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy environments and limiting exposure to loud noises 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 maintain 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 encounter some degree of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from damage. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will most likely exacerbate the issue.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, difficulty understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s important that you recognize it. Make an appointment with us as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be significantly increased by early detection and intervention.
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 symptoms.
If you suspect that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.