In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, our ears often 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 prevalent yet perilous practices. Below, we explore four essential ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears protected.
Ear candling is a no-no
Despite the utter lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to clear away earwax has recently achieved some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle inside of the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the idea that a vacuum is created, pulling out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also quite risky.
You could be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the delicate structures of the ear can result in burns, perforated eardrums, and even aggravate existing issues. Moreover, the residue left behind after ear candling frequently is comprised of candle wax and debris as opposed to extracted earwax.
Medical professionals always warn against 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.
Banish the cotton swabs
The attraction of cotton swabs for ear cleaning is undeniable, with many individuals turning to these apparently harmless tools for maintenance. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Instead of effectively eliminating earwax, swabs can accidentally push wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and possible injury.
The eardrum is delicate and objects such as cotton swabs can cause substantial damage. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the outcomes of perforations or abrasions of the eardrum. To prevent these complications, it is beneficial 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 necessary.
Mind the volume: safeguard against loud noise
It’s a loud world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by noises of all different volumes. From bustling city streets to recreational activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is ubiquitous. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
To decrease the risk of hearing damage, it is essential to be aware of noise levels and take active measures to protect your ears. Whenever you can’t avoid extremely loud noise, protection such as earplugs and earmuffs should be utilized.
Additionally, when using personal audio devices, like headphones or earbuds, maintaining a moderate volume and taking regular breaks can help maintain hearing health.
Listen to your ears: act quickly on symptoms
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some level of hearing loss is essential to protect your ears from damage. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, delaying intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate management.
It is imperative to recognize common signs of hearing loss, such as trouble understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. Schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible if you experience 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 successfully navigate the landscape of your life is dependent 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 identifying early warning symptoms.
Call us today for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.
