In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and inadvertent harm. There are some common but dangerous practices, like making use of cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we delve into four important ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique supposed to remove earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. 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 drawing impurities out. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, showcasing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
Not only does ear candling fail to clear away earwax effectively, but it also poses substantial risks. 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 professionals universally warn against the use of ear candling. There are safer ways to clean your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against using them.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of people turn to these seemingly innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal presents more risks than benefits. Rather than effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can inadvertently pack wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and possible injury.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects like cotton swabs can cause substantial damage. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the outcomes of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. To avoid these complications, it is advisable to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead rely on the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional help if needed.
Mind the volume: safeguard against loud noise
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are continuously bombarded by sounds of differing intensities. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from going to sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have negative effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To minimize the threat of hearing damage, it is critical to be mindful of noise levels and take active steps to protect your ears. Whenever you can’t avoid extremely loud noise, protection like earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
If you notice any symptoms, act promptly
Taking fast 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 harm. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will most likely worsen the issue.
It’s 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 encountered, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Early diagnosis 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 maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, protecting our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning symptoms.
Call us immediately for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.