Our ears are often what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our busy day-to-day lives. There are some common but dangerous practices, including using cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health at risk. What follows are a few practices you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Bid farewell to ear candling
In spite of the total lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to remove 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 supposedly drawing impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also rather risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax effectively, but it also poses considerable risks. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Usually, if you see any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
Medical professionals always warn against ear candling because of these findings. 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 appeal 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 advantages. Rather than effectively removing earwax, swabs can unintentionally jam wax deeper into the ear canal, resulting in impaction and potential injury.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects such as cotton swabs can cause substantial damage. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to seek 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 continuously bombarded by sounds of varying intensities. From bustling city streets to recreational activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is unavoidable. Nonetheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s crucial to use hearing protection and, if you can, avoid excessively loud settings in order to prevent damage. Whenever you can’t steer clear of extremely loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Additionally, when utilizing personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help maintain hearing health.
If you observe any symptoms, act promptly
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some level of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from damage. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, delaying intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate treatment.
It’s imperative to identify common signs of hearing loss, such as trouble 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) immediately. Early diagnosis and intervention can substantially improve results and improve your quality of life.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are vital in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. By adopting these four practices, avoiding ear candling and cotton swabs, protecting against loud noise, and understanding early warning signs, we can maintain our precious sense of hearing and enjoy the symphony of sounds that enrich our existence.
Call us today for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.