In the hectic frenzy of day-to-day life, our ears often shoulder the burden of neglect and accidental harm. There are a few common but dangerous practices, like utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health at risk. Below, we explore four important ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Ear candling is a no-no
In spite of the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to clear away earwax has recently gained some popularity. It’s believed that a vacuum is produced when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the other end is lit allegedly drawing impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also quite risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to remove earwax efficiently, but it also poses substantial risks. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Moreover, 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 universally warn against 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.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, 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 unintentionally pack wax deeper into the ear canal, resulting in impaction and possible injury.
The sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can happen, leading to pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to seek professional assistance if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by noises of all different volumes. Exposure to loud noise is inevitable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Nevertheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential to utilize hearing protection and, if possible, avoid very loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t avoid extremely loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
In addition, when using personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of sustaining optimal hearing health is being alert to the signals your ears provide and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will probably worsen the issue.
It is crucial 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. If any of these symptoms are experienced, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and improve your quality of life.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life is dependent on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
Call us today for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.
