In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, our ears frequently bear the brunt of neglect and accidental 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. What follows are a few practices you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
In spite of the total lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to eliminate earwax has recently achieved some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle inside of the ear canal and lighting the opposite end, with the belief that a vacuum is created, pulling out impurities. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax efficiently, but it also poses considerable risks. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Furthermore, the residue left behind after ear candling often is comprised of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always warn against 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) warn against using them.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of people turn to these seemingly innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more dangers than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Instead of effectively removing earwax, swabs can unintentionally push wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and potential injury.
The eardrum is delicate and objects like cotton swabs can cause significant damage. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To prevent these complications, it is beneficial 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.
Be mindful of the volume: safeguard against loud noise
It’s a noisy world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by sounds of all different volume levels. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from attending sporting events and concerts to strolling down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. However, prolonged or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, leading to noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential to use ear protection and, if possible, avoid very loud settings in order to prevent damage. This includes using hearing protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy settings and limiting exposure to loud sounds whenever you can.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Perhaps the most critical aspect of preserving 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, such as hearing aids, delaying intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate management.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, trouble understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s important that you acknowledge it. Schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be substantially increased by early detection and intervention.
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.
If you suspect that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.