In the hectic frenzy of day-to-day life, our ears frequently shoulder the burden of neglect and accidental harm. From the allure of ear candling to the apparently harmless act of utilizing cotton swabs, our auditory health can suffer from these common yet perilous 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 supposed to remove earwax and promote ear health, has gained popularity in spite of lacking scientific merit. It’s believed that a vacuum is created when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the opposite end is lit theoretically drawing impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also very risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to clear away earwax effectively, but it also poses considerable risks. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can result in burns, perforated eardrums, and even exacerbate existing issues. Also, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently is comprised of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
In light of these findings, medical experts always discourage 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 many people turn to these seemingly harmless tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more dangers than advantages to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Rather than effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can inadvertently push wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and potential injury.
The delicate nature of the eardrum makes it susceptible 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. To prevent these complications, it is advisable to refrain from inserting any objects into the ear canal and instead rely on the ear’s self-cleaning mechanisms or seek professional help if necessary.
Keep volumes to a minimum
In a progressively noisy world, our ears are constantly bombarded by sounds of differing intensities. Exposure to loud noise is inevitable, from going to sporting events and concerts to walking down busy city streets to mowing your lawn. However, prolonged or excessive exposure can have harmful effects on hearing health, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.
To mitigate the risk of hearing damage, it is critical to be mindful of sound levels and take proactive steps to protect your ears. This includes wearing ear protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in loud settings and restricting exposure to loud noises whenever possible.
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 encounter some degree of hearing loss is essential to protect your ears from damage. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will probably exacerbate the issue.
It’s essential to identify common signs of hearing impairment, such as trouble 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 encountered, seek evaluation 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 substantially 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 possible. By adopting 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 enjoy the symphony of sounds that enrich our existence.
Call us immediately for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.