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 hazardous practices, like making use of cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we explore four important strategies to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Say good by to ear candling
Despite the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to clear away earwax has recently gained some popularity. It’s believed that a vacuum is created when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the opposite end is lit theoretically pulling impurities out. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the delicate structures of the ear can result in burns, perforated eardrums, and even exacerbate existing issues. 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 universally discourage the use of ear candling. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) advise against using them.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of individuals turn to these seemingly harmless tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more dangers than advantages to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and potential injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the results of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. It would be better to obtain professional assistance 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: protect against loud noise
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by sounds of all different volumes. From busy city streets to leisure activities like 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 resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s crucial to utilize ear protection and, if you can, avoid excessively loud settings in order to prevent damage. Whenever you can’t avoid extremely loud noise, protection like earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
If you detect any symptoms, act quickly
Perhaps the most crucial 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, holding off on intervention can worsen 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 important that you acknowledge it. If any of these symptoms are experienced, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly 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. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
Call us today for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.