In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and accidental harm. There are a few common but hazardous practices, including utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Bid farewell to ear candling
In spite of the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to eliminate earwax has recently gained some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and lighting the opposite end, with the notion that a vacuum is created, pulling out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also quite risky.
You might be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing problems. Furthermore, the residue left behind after ear candling often consists of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
In light of these findings, medical experts always 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.
No more cotton swabs
The allure of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is indisputable, with many people turning to these apparently harmless 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 accidentally push wax deeper into the ear canal, resulting in impaction and possible injury.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects such as cotton swabs can cause considerable damage. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing loss. 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.
Be mindful of the volume: safeguard against loud noise
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are continuously bombarded by sounds of varying intensities. From busy city streets to leisure activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is unavoidable. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To mitigate the threat of hearing damage, it is critical to be aware of noise levels and take proactive measures to protect your ears. This includes using hearing protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy environments and restricting exposure to loud sounds whenever you can.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Perhaps the most essential aspect of preserving optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears provide and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will most likely worsen the issue.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, difficulty understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s essential that you recognize it. Make an appointment with us right away 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. By adopting these four strategies, 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 enhance our existence.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.