In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and inadvertent harm. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of using cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these common yet dangerous practices. Below, we delve into four important ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique supposed to remove earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity despite lacking scientific merit. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the idea that a vacuum is created, pulling out impurities. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could 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 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.
In light of these findings, medical experts always warn against the use of ear candling. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against using them.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of individuals turn to these apparently harmless tools to clean earwax out of their ears. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal presents more risks than benefits. Impaction and potential injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is delicate and objects like cotton swabs can cause significant damage. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can happen, leading to pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To prevent these complications, it is advisable to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend upon the ear’s self-cleaning systems or seek professional assistance if necessary.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of differing intensities. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to strolling down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To mitigate the risk of hearing damage, it is critical to be conscious of noise levels and take active measures to protect your ears. This includes using hearing protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy environments and limiting exposure to loud sounds whenever possible.
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 essential aspect of sustaining optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears give you and taking quick action in response to any concerning symptoms. In spite of the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, holding off on intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate treatment.
It is essential to identify common signs of hearing impairment, such as difficulty understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. If any of these symptoms are experienced, seek assessment from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and improve 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 signs.
If you suspect that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
