In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of using cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these prevalent yet perilous practices. 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 practice supposed 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 theoretically drawing impurities out. 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 eliminate earwax effectively, 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 aggravate existing issues. Also, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently is comprised of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always discourage 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.
Banish the 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 public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more risks than benefits. Impaction and possible injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, leading to pain, infection, and hearing loss. To prevent these complications, it is beneficial to steer clear of inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend upon the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional assistance if necessary.
Mind the volume: protect against loud noise
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are continuously bombarded by sounds of varying intensities. Exposure to loud sound is unavoidable, from going to sporting events and concerts to walking down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. However, prolonged or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s crucial to use hearing protection and, if you can, avoid very loud settings in order to avoid damage. This includes using hearing protection, including earmuffs or earplugs, in loud settings and limiting exposure to loud sounds whenever possible.
In addition, when utilizing personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help preserve hearing health.
If you notice any symptoms, act quickly
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of preserving optimal hearing health is being attentive 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 most likely worsen the issue.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, difficulty understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s essential that you acknowledge it. If any of these symptoms are encountered, seek evaluation from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) promptly. Your hearing results as well as your quality of life will be substantially increased by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to effectively navigate the landscape of your life is dependent on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. 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 think that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.