In the hectic frenzy of day-to-day life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and accidental harm. There are a few common but hazardous practices, like utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we delve into four essential strategies to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Say good by to ear candling
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 opposite end is lit allegedly pulling impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also rather risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax efficiently, but it also poses significant risks. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Also, the residue left behind after ear candling often is comprised of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always discourage ear candling because of these findings. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against this practice, emphasizing safer methods for ear hygiene.
Banish the cotton swabs
The allure of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many people turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more dangers than benefits. Rather than effectively removing earwax, swabs can accidentally push wax deeper into the ear canal, resulting in impaction and potential injury.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing loss can all be the results of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. To avoid these complications, it is advisable to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend on the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional help if needed.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly bombarded by sounds of differing volumes. Exposure to loud noise is inevitable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s essential to use ear protection and, if possible, avoid very loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t steer clear of really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some level of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from harm. 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 right away if you encounter any of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention can substantially improve results and improve your quality of life.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. 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 enhance our existence.
Call us immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.