Our ears are frequently what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our busy daily lives. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of using cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these prevalent yet hazardous practices. Below, we explore four important strategies to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique supposed to remove earwax and promote 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 opposite end is lit allegedly pulling impurities out. However, several studies have debunked this practice, emphasizing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You might be putting your hearing in jeopardy by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can result in burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing issues. Usually, 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 experts always discourage the use of ear candling. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against using them.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of individuals 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 advantages. Impaction and potential injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing loss can all be the outcomes of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. To prevent 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 mechanisms or seek professional assistance if needed.
Be mindful of the volume: protect against loud noise
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of differing volumes. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from attending 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 excessively loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t steer clear of really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
If you notice any symptoms, act promptly
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some degree of hearing loss is essential to protect your ears from damage. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will probably worsen the problem.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, trouble understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s essential that you recognize it. If any of these symptoms are experienced, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Your hearing results as well as your quality of life will be significantly enhanced by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to effectively 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 preserve our precious sense of hearing and cherish the symphony of sounds that enhance our existence.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
