In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our ears often shoulder the burden of neglect and inadvertent harm. There are some common but dangerous practices, including using cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
Despite the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to remove earwax has recently gained 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 other end is lit supposedly drawing impurities out. However, several studies have debunked this practice, showcasing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could be putting your hearing in peril by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing issues. Usually, if you see any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
Medical professionals always warn against ear candling because of these findings. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) caution against this practice, emphasizing safer methods for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
The allure of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is indisputable, with many people turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Rather than 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 outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can happen, leading to pain, infection, and hearing loss. It would be better to seek professional assistance if necessary or otherwise depend on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are continuously bombarded by sounds of differing intensities. From busy city streets to leisure activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is unavoidable. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have negative effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To mitigate the risk of hearing damage, it is critical to be conscious of noise levels and take proactive measures to safeguard your ears. Whenever you can’t avoid really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
In addition, when using personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help maintain hearing health.
If you notice any symptoms, act promptly
Perhaps the most critical aspect of preserving optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears provide and taking quick action in response to any concerning symptoms. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, holding off on intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate management.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, difficulty understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s important that you acknowledge it. Schedule an appointment with us right away if you experience any of these symptoms. Early detection 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. By embracing these four practices, avoiding ear candling and cotton swabs, protecting against loud noise, and understanding early warning signs, we can preserve our precious sense of hearing and cherish the symphony of sounds that enrich our existence.
Call us immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.
