Our ears are often what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our hectic daily lives. There are a few common but hazardous practices, including utilizing cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. What follows are a few practices you can use to help safeguard the health of your hearing.
Say good by to ear candling
Despite the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to clear away earwax has recently gained some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the belief that a vacuum is created, drawing out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also rather risky.
You may be putting your hearing in peril by employing a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the delicate structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing issues. Also, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently consists of candle wax and debris rather than extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always discourage ear candling because of these findings. There are safer ways to clean your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against using them.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that many people turn to these apparently innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and potential injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is delicate and objects such as cotton swabs can cause considerable damage. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can happen, creating pain, infection, and hearing loss. To prevent these complications, it is advisable to refrain from inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead depend on the ear’s self-cleaning systems or seek professional help if needed.
Keep volumes to a minimum
It’s a noisy world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by sounds of all different volumes. Exposure to loud sound is inevitable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. However, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s crucial to utilize hearing protection and, if you can, avoid very loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t avoid extremely loud noise, protection like earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
If you notice any symptoms, act quickly
Perhaps the most essential aspect of maintaining optimal hearing health is being attentive to the signals your ears give you and taking prompt action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will probably exacerbate the issue.
It is essential 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. If any of these symptoms are experienced, 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 significantly enhanced by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life depends 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 maintain our precious sense of hearing and enjoy the symphony of sounds that enrich our existence.
If you suspect that you might be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.