In the hectic frenzy of everyday life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these common yet dangerous practices. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
In spite of the total lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to eliminate earwax has recently achieved some popularity. It’s believed that a vacuum is produced when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the opposite end is lit theoretically pulling impurities out. However, several studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could be putting your hearing in peril by employing a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Moreover, the residue left behind after ear candling often is comprised of candle wax and debris rather than 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.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many individuals turning to these seemingly harmless tools for maintenance. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more risks than advantages. Impaction and potential injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects like cotton swabs can cause considerable damage. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can happen, creating pain, infection, and hearing impairment. To prevent 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 needed.
Be mindful of the volume: protect against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are continuously inundated by sounds of varying intensities. From bustling city streets to leisure activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is unavoidable. Nonetheless, prolonged or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential to utilize ear protection and, if you can, avoid very loud settings in order to avoid damage. This includes using ear protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy environments and limiting exposure to loud sounds whenever possible.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Perhaps the most critical aspect of preserving optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears give you and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will most likely exacerbate the issue.
It is essential to identify common signs of hearing impairment, such as trouble 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 evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Early diagnosis and intervention can substantially improve results and improve your quality of life.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life is dependent 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.