In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, our ears often shoulder the burden of neglect and accidental harm. There are a few common but hazardous practices, including utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. Below, we explore four essential ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Ear candling is a no-no
Despite 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 other end is lit allegedly pulling impurities out. However, several studies have debunked this practice, highlighting its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You might be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing issues 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. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against this practice, emphasizing safer alternatives for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that many individuals turn to these seemingly innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more dangers than benefits. 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 vulnerable to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, leading to pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to obtain professional assistance if necessary or otherwise depend on your ear’s self-cleaning ability instead of putting any object in the ear.
Mind the volume: safeguard against loud noise
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are continuously bombarded by sounds of varying volumes. Exposure to loud sound is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have negative effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To minimize the threat of hearing damage, it is critical to be aware of sound levels and take proactive measures to safeguard your ears. This includes using ear protection, including earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy settings and restricting exposure to loud sounds whenever possible.
In addition, when utilizing personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help maintain hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some level of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from harm. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, delaying intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate treatment.
It’s essential 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 evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be substantially increased by early detection and intervention.
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 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 immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.
