Our ears are often what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our hectic daily lives. There are a few common but hazardous practices, like using cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health at risk. What follows are a few practices you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
In spite of the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to eliminate 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 supposedly drawing impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also extremely risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to remove earwax effectively, but it also poses substantial hazards. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can result in 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.
In light of these findings, medical experts always 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.
No more cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many individuals turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. But there are more dangers 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 fragile nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside 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 refrain from inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend upon the ear’s self-cleaning systems or seek professional help if needed.
Keep volumes to a minimum
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 noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To decrease the risk of hearing damage, it is essential to be aware of noise levels and take proactive measures to safeguard your ears. This includes using ear protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in loud settings and limiting exposure to loud sounds whenever possible.
In addition, when utilizing personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help preserve hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of maintaining optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears give you and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will most likely exacerbate the issue.
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. If any of these symptoms are encountered, seek assessment 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.
Your ability to successfully 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 identifying early warning symptoms.
Call us today for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.