Our ears are often what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our busy daily lives. There are a few common but hazardous practices, including using cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health at risk. What follows are a few practices you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Ear candling, an ancient technique purported to remove earwax and promote 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, showcasing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You could be putting your hearing in jeopardy by employing a practice that won’t even eliminate any earwax. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can result in burns, perforated eardrums, and even exacerbate existing issues. Moreover, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently consists of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
In light of these findings, medical professionals universally warn against the use of ear candling. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against this practice, emphasizing safer methods for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of people turn to these seemingly harmless tools to clean earwax out of their ears. However, contrary to popular belief, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal presents more risks than benefits. Impaction and possible injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The sensitive nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can happen, leading to pain, infection, and hearing loss. It would be better to seek professional assistance 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
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by sounds of all different volume levels. From bustling city streets to recreational activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is ubiquitous. However, sustained or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on hearing health, leading to noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s crucial to use ear protection and, if you can, avoid excessively loud settings in order to prevent damage. Whenever you can’t steer clear of really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
If you observe any symptoms, act promptly
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some level of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from harm. In spite of the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, holding off on intervention can worsen 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 recognize it. Make an appointment with us right away if you encounter any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be significantly enhanced 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. By embracing these four practices, avoiding ear candling and cotton swabs, protecting against loud noise, and understanding early warning signs, we can preserve our precious sense of hearing and cherish the symphony of sounds that enrich our existence.
Call us immediately for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.