Our ears are often what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our busy day-to-day lives. There are a few common but dangerous practices, including utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we explore four important methods to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Say good by to ear candling
In spite of the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to remove 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 notion that a vacuum is created, drawing out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also very risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax efficiently, but it also poses substantial hazards. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Moreover, the residue left behind after ear candling often consists of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
In light of these findings, medical professionals always discourage the use of ear candling. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) caution against this practice, emphasizing safer methods for ear hygiene.
Banish the cotton swabs
It’s true that many individuals turn to these apparently 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. Impaction and possible injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is delicate and objects like cotton swabs can cause substantial damage. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the outcomes of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. It would be better to seek professional assistance if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are continuously inundated by sounds of varying volumes. From busy city streets to leisure activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is unavoidable. Nonetheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential to utilize hearing protection and, if possible, avoid excessively loud settings in order to prevent damage. Whenever you can’t avoid extremely loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
If you observe any symptoms, act promptly
Perhaps the most essential aspect of sustaining optimal hearing health is being alert to the signals your ears give you and taking quick 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 identify common signs of hearing impairment, such as trouble understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. If any of these symptoms are experienced, seek assessment from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Your hearing results as well as your quality of life will be substantially increased by early detection and intervention.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are paramount in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. By embracing 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 enhance our existence.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.