In the hectic frenzy of day-to-day life, our ears often shoulder the burden of neglect and accidental harm. There are some common but dangerous practices, like utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we explore four essential methods to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Ear candling is a no-no
Despite the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to clear away earwax has recently achieved some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and lighting the opposite end, with the notion that a vacuum is created, drawing out impurities. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Furthermore, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently is comprised of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
In light of these findings, medical professionals universally warn against 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.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of people turn to these apparently innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more dangers than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and possible injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The delicate nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the results 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 systems or seek professional help if needed.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by sounds of all different volumes. Exposure to loud sound is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to strolling down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Nevertheless, prolonged or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, leading to noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
To decrease the risk of hearing damage, it is essential to be conscious of sound levels and take active steps to protect your ears. Whenever you can’t avoid very loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Additionally, when using personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some degree of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from damage. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, holding off on intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate management.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, difficulty 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 diagnosis and intervention can substantially improve results and improve your quality of life.
Your ability to effectively navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. By embracing these four practices, 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 suspect that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.