In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our ears frequently shoulder the burden of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these common yet perilous practices. What follows are a few practices you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Say good by to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient practice supposed to remove earwax and promote ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. The process involves inserting a hollow candle inside of the ear canal and lighting the opposite end, with the belief that a vacuum is created, pulling out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also extremely risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to remove earwax efficiently, but it also poses substantial risks. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Usually, if you notice any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
In light of these findings, medical professionals universally warn against the use of ear candling. There are safer ways to clean your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) advise against using them.
No more cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is indisputable, with many individuals turning to these seemingly innocuous tools for maintenance. However, contrary to popular belief, 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 sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can happen, resulting in pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to obtain professional help if necessary or otherwise depend 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 constantly being assaulted by noises of all different volumes. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have negative effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To minimize the risk of hearing damage, it is essential to be aware of noise levels and take active measures to safeguard your ears. This includes wearing ear protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in loud settings and limiting exposure to loud noises whenever you can.
Additionally, when using personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular rests can help preserve hearing health.
If you observe any symptoms, act promptly
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some degree of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from damage. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will most likely worsen the problem.
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. Make an appointment with us as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention can substantially improve outcomes and improve your quality of life.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, protecting our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning symptoms.
Call us today for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.