In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and inadvertent harm. There are some common but dangerous practices, including utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
Ear candling, an ancient practice purported to draw out earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. 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, numerous studies have debunked this practice, emphasizing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could be putting your hearing in jeopardy by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing issues. Also, 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) caution against this practice, emphasizing safer methods for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
The appeal of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is unquestionable, with many people turning to these apparently innocuous tools for maintenance. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more risks than advantages. Instead of effectively removing earwax, swabs can accidentally pack wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and potential injury.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing loss can all be the results of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. To prevent these complications, it is advisable to refrain from inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead rely on the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional help if needed.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are continuously being assaulted by sounds of all different volumes. From busy city streets to leisure activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is ubiquitous. However, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on auditory health, leading to noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential to utilize hearing protection and, if you can, avoid excessively loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t steer clear of really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
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 crucial to protect your ears from damage. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will probably worsen the issue.
It’s imperative to identify 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 right away if you experience any of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly 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 possible. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and identifying early warning symptoms.
If you suspect that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
