In the hectic frenzy of everyday life, our ears frequently shoulder the burden of neglect and inadvertent harm. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these prevalent yet perilous practices. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Say good by to ear candling
In spite of the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of attempting to eliminate earwax has recently gained some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the idea 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. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Also, 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 experts universally warn against the use of ear candling. There are safer methods of cleaning 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 lots of people turn to these apparently harmless 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 delicate nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from outside objects, including cotton swabs. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the results of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. It would be better to seek professional assistance if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability instead of 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 noises of all different volume levels. From bustling city streets to recreational activities such as concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is unavoidable. Nonetheless, sustained or excessive exposure can have detrimental effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
It’s essential to use ear protection and, if possible, avoid overly loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t avoid really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
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
Taking quick action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to experience some level of hearing loss is critical to protect your ears from harm. In spite of the availability of advanced treatments, such as hearing aids, delaying intervention can worsen hearing loss and complicate management.
It’s imperative to recognize common signs of hearing loss, 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 encounter any of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention can substantially improve outcomes and improve your quality of life.
Your ability to effectively navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as you can. By embracing these four strategies, 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 today for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.