Our ears are often what carry the load of unintentional harm from neglect in our busy day-to-day lives. There are a few common but hazardous practices, like utilizing 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
In spite of the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to remove earwax has recently achieved 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. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, showcasing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
You may be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. Burns to the delicate ear structures, perforated eardrums, and aggravation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Furthermore, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently consists of candle wax and debris as opposed to 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.
Get rid of the cotton swabs
It’s true that many individuals turn to these apparently harmless tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more dangers than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Impaction and possible injury can be the outcome of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects like cotton swabs can cause considerable damage. Injuries, like perforations or abrasions can occur, creating pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to obtain professional help if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability instead of putting any object in the ear.
Mind the volume: safeguard against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly bombarded by sounds of differing volumes. From busy city streets to leisure activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is ubiquitous. Over-exposure to loud noises like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To mitigate the risk of hearing damage, it is critical to be conscious of sound levels and take proactive measures to safeguard your ears. Whenever you can’t steer clear of really loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
Additionally, when using personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, retaining 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 maintaining optimal hearing health is being alert 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 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 important that you recognize it. If any of these symptoms are experienced, seek assessment from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Your hearing results as well as your quality of life will be significantly increased by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
Call us immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.