Our ears are frequently what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our hectic day-to-day lives. There are some common but dangerous practices, like using cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. What follows are a few practices you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
Ear candling, an ancient technique supposed to remove earwax and promote 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 supposedly pulling impurities out. However, several studies have debunked this practice, emphasizing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax efficiently, but it also poses substantial hazards. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can result in burns, perforated eardrums, and even exacerbate 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. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) advise against using them.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that many individuals turn to these seemingly innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more dangers than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and possible injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The delicate nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can occur, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing loss. It would be better to seek professional assistance if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability instead of putting any object in the ear.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a noisy world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by noises of all different volumes. From bustling city streets to recreational activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is ubiquitous. Nonetheless, prolonged or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
To decrease the threat of hearing damage, it is essential to be aware of noise levels and take active measures to safeguard your ears. This includes wearing hearing protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy settings and restricting exposure to loud noises whenever possible.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
Listen to your ears: act promptly on symptoms
Perhaps the most essential aspect of sustaining optimal hearing health is being alert to the signals your ears provide and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. In spite of the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, delaying intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate treatment.
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 as soon as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms. Your hearing results as well as your quality of life will be substantially increased by early detection and intervention.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are vital in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning symptoms.
If you think that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.