In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our ears often shoulder the burden of neglect and inadvertent harm. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of using cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these prevalent yet perilous practices. Below, we explore four important methods to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
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 inside of the ear canal and lighting the opposite end, with the idea that a vacuum is created, pulling out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also quite risky.
You might be putting your hearing in jeopardy by employing a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. Burns to the sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Usually, if you see any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
In light of these findings, medical professionals always 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 options for ear hygiene.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many individuals turning to these seemingly innocuous tools for maintenance. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal presents more dangers than advantages. Impaction and potential injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is delicate and objects such as cotton swabs can cause significant damage. Pain, infection, and hearing loss can all be the outcomes of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. To avoid 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.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a noisy world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by sounds of all different volume levels. Exposure to loud noise is inevitable, from going to sporting events and concerts to strolling down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s essential to use ear protection and, if possible, avoid excessively loud settings in order to avoid damage. This includes wearing ear protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in loud settings and limiting exposure to loud sounds whenever you can.
Additionally, when utilizing personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve 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 encounter some level of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from harm. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will most likely worsen the issue.
It’s essential to identify common signs of hearing loss, such as difficulty understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. Make an appointment with us right away if you experience any of these symptoms. Early detection and intervention can substantially 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. By adopting these four practices, avoiding ear candling and cotton swabs, protecting against loud noise, and understanding early warning signs, we can maintain our precious sense of hearing and enjoy the symphony of sounds that enrich our existence.
If you think that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.