Our ears are frequently what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our hectic 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 strategies you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique supposed to extract earwax and improve 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 other end is lit allegedly pulling impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also very risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax effectively, but it also poses significant hazards. Burns to the delicate 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 discourage ear candling because of these findings. There are safer ways to clean your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against using them.
No more cotton swabs
The appeal of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more dangers than advantages. Impaction and potential injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can happen, leading to pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To avoid these complications, it is beneficial to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead rely on the ear’s self-cleaning systems or seek professional assistance if necessary.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by sounds of all different volume levels. Exposure to loud noise is inevitable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To decrease the threat of hearing damage, it is critical to be conscious of sound levels and take proactive measures to protect your ears. Whenever you can’t avoid extremely loud noise, protection like earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
In addition, when using personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve hearing health.
If you notice any symptoms, act promptly
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some degree of hearing loss is essential to protect your ears from harm. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will probably exacerbate the issue.
It’s 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 encountered, seek assessment from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Your hearing results 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 is dependent on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. By embracing these four practices, 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 enhance our existence.
Call us today for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.