Our ears are often what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our hectic day-to-day lives. There are a few common but hazardous practices, including using cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we delve into four essential ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Ear candling is a no-no
Ear candling, an ancient practice purported to extract earwax and promote ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. 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. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also quite risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax effectively, but it also poses substantial risks. The application of heat near the delicate structures of the ear can result in burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing problems. Also, 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 experts always 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) warn against using them.
Banish the cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. But there are more dangers than advantages to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Rather than effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can accidentally jam wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and possible injury.
The eardrum is delicate and objects like cotton swabs can cause substantial damage. Pain, infection, and hearing loss can all be the outcomes of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. To avoid these complications, it is beneficial to refrain from inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend upon the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional help if necessary.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of varying volumes. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from going to sporting events and concerts to strolling down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have negative effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s crucial to use hearing protection and, if possible, avoid very loud settings in order to avoid damage. This includes using hearing protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, in loud environments and restricting exposure to loud sounds whenever you can.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some level of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from damage. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will probably worsen the issue.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, trouble understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s important that you recognize it. Schedule an appointment with us right away if you experience any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be significantly enhanced by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, protecting our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning signs.
If you suspect that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
