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 common yet dangerous practices. Below, we explore four important strategies to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Say good by to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient practice purported to remove earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity despite lacking scientific merit. The process involves inserting a hollow candle inside of the ear canal and lighting the opposite end, with the idea that a vacuum is created, drawing out impurities. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, showcasing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
Not only does ear candling fail to eliminate earwax efficiently, but it also poses substantial hazards. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing problems can all be consequences of this practice. Furthermore, 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 options for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of 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 advantages. Rather than effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can unintentionally push wax deeper into the ear canal, resulting in impaction and possible injury.
The sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing loss 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 a progressively noisy world, our ears are constantly bombarded by sounds of differing volumes. From busy city streets to recreational activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud noise is unavoidable. Nonetheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
To decrease the risk of hearing damage, it is critical to be aware of sound levels and take proactive steps to protect your ears. Whenever you can’t avoid very loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
In addition, when using personal audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds, retaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help preserve hearing health.
If you observe any symptoms, act promptly
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of maintaining optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears give you and taking quick action in response to any concerning symptoms. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, delaying intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate management.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, difficulty understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s important that you acknowledge it. Schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be significantly increased by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to effectively navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. By adopting 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 enrich our existence.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.
