Our ears are often what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our busy day-to-day 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 dangerous practices. What follows are a few practices you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
In spite of the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to remove earwax has recently achieved some popularity. It’s believed that a vacuum is created when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the other end is lit theoretically drawing impurities out. However, several studies have debunked this practice, showcasing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You might be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Usually, if you notice any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
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) warn against this practice, emphasizing safer methods for ear hygiene.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of individuals turn to these apparently innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and potential injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects such as cotton swabs can cause substantial damage. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can occur, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing loss. To prevent these complications, it is beneficial to refrain from inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead rely on the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional help if necessary.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a noisy world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by sounds of all different volume levels. Exposure to loud sound is unavoidable, from going to sporting events and concerts to strolling down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. However, sustained or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s crucial to utilize hearing protection and, if you can, avoid overly loud settings in order to prevent damage. Whenever you can’t avoid extremely loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Additionally, when utilizing personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help maintain hearing health.
If you notice any symptoms, act quickly
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some level of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from damage. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will most likely worsen the issue.
It is crucial to identify common signs of hearing loss, such as difficulty 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 encountered, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Your hearing outcomes 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. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning symptoms.
If you think that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.