In the hectic frenzy of everyday life, our ears frequently bear the brunt of neglect and inadvertent harm. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of using cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these common yet hazardous 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 attempting 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 a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also rather risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax effectively, but it also poses substantial hazards. Burns to the sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Moreover, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently is comprised of candle wax and debris rather than extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always discourage ear candling because of these findings. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against using them.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these apparently harmless tools for maintenance. 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 delicate nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing loss can all be the results of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. It would be better to obtain professional assistance if necessary or otherwise depend on your ear’s self-cleaning ability instead of putting any object in the ear.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of differing intensities. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to strolling down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Nevertheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
To mitigate the risk of hearing damage, it is critical to be aware of noise levels and take active measures to protect your ears. Whenever you can’t steer clear of really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
In addition, when using personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help maintain hearing health.
If you detect any symptoms, act quickly
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 harm. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will most likely exacerbate the problem.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, trouble understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s essential that you acknowledge it. Schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be substantially increased by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to effectively navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
If you think that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.