Our ears are often what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our busy daily lives. There are some common but hazardous practices, like utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Say good by to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient practice supposed to extract earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity despite lacking scientific merit. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the notion that a vacuum is created, drawing out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also very risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax effectively, but it also poses significant risks. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. 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. 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 people turn to these seemingly innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal presents more risks than advantages. Instead of effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can accidentally push wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and possible injury.
The sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can happen, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To prevent these complications, it is beneficial to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead rely on the ear’s self-cleaning systems or seek professional assistance if necessary.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are continuously bombarded by sounds of differing intensities. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to strolling down busy 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 use hearing protection and, if you can, avoid overly loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t avoid really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
In addition, when utilizing personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve hearing health.
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 degree of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from harm. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will probably 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. Schedule an appointment with us right away 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.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are vital in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
If you think that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.