Our ears are frequently what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our hectic daily lives. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of using cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these prevalent yet hazardous practices. Below, we delve into four important methods to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Say good by to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique purported to extract earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity despite lacking scientific merit. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the belief that a vacuum is created, drawing out impurities. However, several studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax effectively, but it also poses significant risks. 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 consists of candle wax and debris rather than extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always warn against ear candling because of these findings. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) caution against this practice, emphasizing safer alternatives for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
The allure of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more risks than advantages. Instead of effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can unintentionally jam wax deeper into the ear canal, resulting in impaction and potential injury.
The delicate nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing loss can all be the results 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 mechanisms or seek professional assistance if necessary.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of differing intensities. From bustling city streets to leisure activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is unavoidable. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have negative effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To minimize the threat of hearing damage, it is critical to be mindful of noise levels and take proactive measures to safeguard your ears. Whenever you can’t avoid very loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some level of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from harm. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will probably exacerbate the issue.
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. If any of these symptoms are experienced, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Early detection and intervention can substantially improve results and improve your quality of life.
Your ability to effectively navigate the landscape of your life is dependent on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning symptoms.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.