In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, our ears frequently bear the brunt of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of using cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these common yet hazardous practices. Below, we explore four essential methods to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Say good by to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique purported to draw out earwax and promote ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. It’s believed that a vacuum is produced when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the opposite end is lit supposedly pulling impurities out. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, emphasizing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax efficiently, but it also poses substantial hazards. Burns to the sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation 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. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against using them.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of people turn to these seemingly innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and possible injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects like cotton swabs can cause substantial damage. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, leading to pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to seek professional help if necessary or otherwise depend 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 loud world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by noises of all different volume levels. From bustling city streets to leisure activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is ubiquitous. Nonetheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s crucial to utilize hearing protection and, if you can, avoid overly loud settings in order to avoid damage. This includes wearing ear protection, including earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy settings and restricting exposure to loud noises whenever possible.
Additionally, when utilizing personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help maintain hearing health.
If you observe any symptoms, act promptly
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some degree of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from harm. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will most likely exacerbate the problem.
It is imperative to identify 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 encountered, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Early detection and intervention can substantially improve outcomes 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 possible. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning symptoms.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.