Our ears are frequently what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our hectic day-to-day lives. 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. Below, we explore four important strategies to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Bid farewell to ear candling
In spite of the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to clear away earwax has recently achieved 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 supposedly pulling impurities out. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, showcasing 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 sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Usually, 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 discourage 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.
Banish the cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these seemingly innocuous tools for maintenance. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and possible injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can occur, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to obtain professional assistance if necessary or otherwise depend on your ear’s self-cleaning ability instead of putting any object in the ear.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a noisy world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by noises of all different volumes. From bustling city streets to leisure activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is ubiquitous. However, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s crucial to use ear protection and, if you can, avoid very loud settings in order to prevent damage. Whenever you can’t steer clear of extremely loud noise, protection like earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
In addition, when utilizing personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some degree of hearing loss is essential to protect your ears from damage. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, holding off on intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate treatment.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, trouble understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s essential that you acknowledge it. Make an appointment with us as soon as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms. 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, protecting our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning symptoms.
Call us immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.