Our ears are often what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our hectic daily lives. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these common yet hazardous practices. Below, we explore four essential ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique supposed to draw out earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity despite 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 other end is lit supposedly pulling impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also very risky.
You may be putting your hearing in jeopardy by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Also, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently is comprised of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always warn against ear candling because of these findings. There are safer ways to clean your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn 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 apparently harmless tools for maintenance. But there are more dangers than advantages to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and possible injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from foreign 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 steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead rely on the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional assistance if necessary.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by noises of all different volumes. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from going to 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 leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s crucial to utilize ear protection and, if you can, avoid overly loud settings in order to prevent damage. This includes wearing hearing protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, in loud environments and restricting exposure to loud noises whenever you can.
Additionally, when using personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve hearing health.
If you detect any symptoms, act quickly
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter 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 issue.
It is essential to recognize common signs of hearing loss, such as trouble understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. Schedule an appointment with us right away if you experience any of these symptoms. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve results and improve your quality of life.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are vital in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning symptoms.
If you think that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.