Our ears are frequently what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our busy daily lives. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of using cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these common yet perilous practices. Below, we explore four important methods to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Despite the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to clear away 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, drawing out impurities. However, several studies have debunked this practice, showcasing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You may be putting your hearing in jeopardy by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the delicate structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even exacerbate existing issues. Normally, 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 unquestionable, with many people turning to these seemingly innocuous tools for maintenance. But there are more risks than advantages to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and potential injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The delicate nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing loss can all be the outcomes 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 instead of putting any object in the ear.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly bombarded by sounds of varying intensities. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from going to sporting events and concerts to strolling down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Nevertheless, prolonged or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential 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 utilized.
Additionally, when using personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve hearing health.
If you notice any symptoms, act promptly
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some level of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from damage. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, delaying intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate treatment.
It is imperative to recognize common signs of hearing impairment, such as difficulty 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. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be significantly increased by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to effectively navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, protecting our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
If you think that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
