Our ears are often what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our busy daily lives. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly 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.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Despite the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to clear away earwax has recently gained some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle inside of the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the idea that a vacuum is created, pulling out impurities. However, several studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You may be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. The application of heat near the delicate structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even exacerbate existing problems. Moreover, the residue left behind after ear candling often 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 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 harmless tools to clean earwax out of their ears. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal presents more risks than benefits. Rather than effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can unintentionally pack wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and possible injury.
The delicate nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, leading to pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To prevent these complications, it is advisable to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend on the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional assistance if needed.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by noises of all different volume levels. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from going to sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Nonetheless, prolonged or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential to utilize hearing protection and, if possible, avoid very loud settings in order to prevent damage. This includes wearing ear protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy environments and limiting exposure to loud noises whenever you can.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Perhaps the most essential aspect of preserving optimal hearing health is being alert to the signals your ears provide and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will most likely exacerbate the problem.
It is crucial to recognize 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. Schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve results and enhance 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 preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, protecting our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning signs.
Call us immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.