Our ears are often what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our hectic daily lives. There are some common but dangerous practices, including utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we delve into four essential methods to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Ear candling is a no-no
Ear candling, an ancient technique supposed to extract earwax and promote ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. It’s believed that a vacuum is created when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the other end is lit allegedly pulling impurities out. However, several studies have debunked this practice, emphasizing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could be putting your hearing in jeopardy by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Usually, if you notice 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. There are safer ways to clean your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) advise against using them.
No more cotton swabs
The appeal of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many individuals turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Rather than effectively removing earwax, swabs can inadvertently pack wax deeper into the ear canal, resulting in impaction and possible injury.
The delicate nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable 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 rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly bombarded by sounds of varying volumes. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have negative effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s essential to utilize hearing protection and, if possible, avoid excessively loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t avoid very loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
In addition, when utilizing personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help maintain hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some degree of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from harm. In spite of the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, holding off on intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate treatment.
It’s essential 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. Make an appointment with us as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Early detection and intervention can substantially improve outcomes 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 strategies, avoiding ear candling and cotton swabs, protecting against loud noise, and understanding early warning signs, we can preserve our precious sense of hearing and cherish the symphony of sounds that enrich our existence.
If you think that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.