In the hectic frenzy of day-to-day life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these prevalent yet perilous practices. What follows are a few practices you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
Despite the utter 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 allegedly drawing impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also quite risky.
You might be putting your hearing in jeopardy by using a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. 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 as opposed to extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always warn against 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 indisputable, with many people turning to these seemingly harmless tools for maintenance. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal presents 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 such as cotton swabs can cause significant damage. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the outcomes of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. It would be better to seek professional assistance if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Be mindful of the volume: protect against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of differing volumes. Exposure to loud sound is unavoidable, from going to sporting events and concerts to strolling down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Nevertheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on hearing health, leading to noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
To mitigate the threat of hearing damage, it is essential to be mindful of noise levels and take active steps to safeguard your ears. This includes using hearing protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy environments and limiting exposure to loud noises whenever you can.
Additionally, when utilizing personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help maintain hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of sustaining optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears provide and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, holding off on intervention can worsen 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 recognize it. Schedule an appointment with us right away if you encounter any of these symptoms. Early detection and intervention can substantially improve results and enhance your quality of life.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life is dependent on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. By embracing these four strategies, avoiding ear candling and cotton swabs, protecting against loud noise, and understanding early warning signs, we can maintain our precious sense of hearing and cherish the symphony of sounds that enrich our existence.
If you think that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.