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 seemingly harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these common yet perilous practices. Below, we explore four important methods to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Ear candling is a no-no
Despite the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to remove earwax has recently achieved some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the idea that a vacuum is created, pulling out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also rather risky.
You might be putting your hearing in jeopardy by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Furthermore, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently consists of candle wax and debris as opposed to 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) warn against this practice, emphasizing safer methods for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of individuals turn to these seemingly innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more dangers than advantages 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 sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can happen, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing loss. It would be better to seek professional help if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability instead of putting any object in the ear.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly bombarded by sounds of differing intensities. From bustling city streets to recreational activities like 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 leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To minimize the risk of hearing damage, it is critical to be conscious of noise levels and take active steps to protect your ears. Whenever you can’t steer clear of very loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
If you detect any symptoms, act quickly
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. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, holding off on intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate management.
It’s crucial to identify common signs of hearing impairment, 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 assessment from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be significantly enhanced 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 enrich our existence.
If you think that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
