Our ears are frequently what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our hectic day-to-day 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 perilous practices. Below, we explore four important ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Say good by to ear candling
Despite the total 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 lighting the opposite end, with the belief 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 may be putting your hearing in peril by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing issues. Normally, if you notice any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
In light of these findings, medical professionals always discourage the use of ear candling. There are safer ways to clean 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 attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is indisputable, with many individuals turning to these apparently harmless tools for maintenance. 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 delicate nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can happen, 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: safeguard 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. Exposure to loud sound is unavoidable, from going to sporting events and concerts to strolling down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s crucial to use hearing protection and, if possible, avoid overly loud settings in order to avoid damage. This includes using hearing protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in loud settings and restricting exposure to loud sounds whenever possible.
In addition, 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
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of sustaining optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears give you and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, delaying intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate management.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, trouble understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s important that you recognize it. Make an appointment with us as soon as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be significantly enhanced by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. By adopting these four strategies, 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 might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.