Our ears are frequently what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our busy daily lives. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these prevalent yet dangerous practices. Below, we delve into four important ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Ear candling is a no-no
Ear candling, an ancient practice purported to draw out 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 opposite end is lit allegedly pulling impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also very risky.
You may 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 exacerbation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Furthermore, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently consists of candle wax and debris rather than 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) advise against using them.
No more cotton swabs
The allure of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many individuals turning to these apparently harmless tools for maintenance. 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 susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the outcomes of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. It would be better to seek professional help 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 an increasingly noisy world, our ears are continuously inundated by sounds of varying intensities. From busy city streets to leisure activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is unavoidable. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s essential to use hearing protection and, if you can, avoid overly loud settings in order to prevent damage. Whenever you can’t steer clear of very loud noise, protection like earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
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 give you and taking quick action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will probably exacerbate the issue.
It is crucial to recognize common signs of hearing impairment, such as difficulty understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. Make an appointment with us as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and improve your quality of life.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are paramount in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding 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.
