In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our ears frequently shoulder the burden of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of using cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these common yet dangerous practices. 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 complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to remove earwax has recently achieved 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 might be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the sensitive 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 consists of candle wax and debris rather than extracted earwax.
In light of these findings, medical experts always discourage the use of ear candling. 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
It’s true that lots of individuals turn to these apparently innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Rather than effectively removing earwax, swabs can accidentally jam wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to 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. To prevent 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 assistance if necessary.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by sounds of all different volume levels. From bustling city streets to recreational activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is unavoidable. Nonetheless, prolonged or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s crucial to utilize ear protection and, if possible, avoid very loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t avoid very loud noise, protection like earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
In addition, when using personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help maintain hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Perhaps the most critical 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 wait to get your hearing loss treated you will most likely worsen the problem.
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 as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes 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 paramount in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. By embracing 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 suspect that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
