Our ears are often what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our busy day-to-day lives. There are some common but dangerous practices, like using cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health at risk. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Say good by to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique supposed to draw out earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. 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. 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 hazards. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Also, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently consists of candle wax and debris rather than extracted earwax.
In light of these findings, medical professionals 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.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
The allure of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many individuals turning to these seemingly harmless tools for maintenance. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal presents more dangers than advantages. Instead of effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can unintentionally push wax deeper into the ear canal, resulting in impaction and possible injury.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects such as cotton swabs can cause significant damage. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can happen, creating pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to obtain professional help if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
It’s a noisy world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by noises of all different volume levels. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from going to sporting events and concerts to walking down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To minimize the threat of hearing damage, it is essential to be conscious of noise levels and take active steps to safeguard your ears. This includes wearing hearing protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy environments and limiting exposure to loud sounds whenever possible.
Additionally, when utilizing personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help maintain hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some level of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from harm. In spite of the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, delaying intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate treatment.
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. If any of these symptoms are encountered, seek assessment from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Your hearing results 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 paramount in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. 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 may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
