In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our ears often shoulder the burden of neglect and inadvertent harm. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these prevalent yet perilous practices. Below, we delve into four important strategies to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Say good by to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient practice purported to remove earwax and promote ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. The process involves inserting a hollow candle inside of the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the belief that a vacuum is created, drawing out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also rather risky.
You might be putting your hearing in peril by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing problems. Usually, if you notice any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
Medical professionals always discourage 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.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these seemingly harmless tools for maintenance. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more dangers than advantages. Impaction and potential injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects such as cotton swabs can cause considerable damage. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can happen, creating pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to obtain professional assistance if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Be mindful of the volume: protect against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of differing volumes. Exposure to loud sound is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking 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.
It’s crucial to use hearing protection and, if possible, avoid overly loud settings in order to prevent damage. This includes wearing ear protection, including earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy settings and restricting exposure to loud noises whenever you can.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Perhaps the most essential aspect of maintaining optimal hearing health is being alert to the signals your ears give you and taking quick action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will most likely exacerbate the problem.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, difficulty understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s important that you recognize it. Make an appointment with us as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Your hearing results as well as your quality of life will be substantially enhanced by early detection and intervention.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are vital 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 identifying early warning symptoms.
Call us immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.