In the hectic frenzy of day-to-day life, our ears frequently bear the brunt of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these common yet perilous practices. What follows are a few practices you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Say good by to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient practice purported to extract earwax and promote ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. It’s believed that a vacuum is created when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the opposite 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 jeopardy by employing a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. The application of heat near the delicate structures of the ear can result in burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing problems. Normally, if you see any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
In light of these findings, medical experts universally warn against the use of ear candling. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) advise against using them.
Banish the cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of people turn to these seemingly harmless tools to clean earwax out of their ears. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more risks than benefits. Instead of effectively removing earwax, swabs can accidentally pack wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and potential injury.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To prevent these complications, it is beneficial to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend upon the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional assistance if necessary.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are continuously bombarded by sounds of differing intensities. From busy city streets to recreational activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is unavoidable. Nevertheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
To mitigate the threat of hearing damage, it is critical to be aware of sound levels and take active measures 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, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help maintain hearing health.
If you notice any symptoms, act promptly
Perhaps the most critical aspect of maintaining optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears give you and taking quick action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will most likely worsen the problem.
It is imperative to recognize 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 experienced, seek assessment from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve results and enhance your quality of life.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, protecting our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning symptoms.
Call us today for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.
