Our ears are often what carry the load of accidental harm from neglect in our busy daily lives. From the allure of ear candling to the seemingly harmless act of using cotton swabs, our hearing health can suffer from these prevalent yet dangerous practices. What follows are a few practices you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Ear candling is a no-no
Ear candling, an ancient technique purported to remove earwax and improve ear health, has gained popularity despite lacking scientific merit. It’s believed that a vacuum is produced when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the other end is lit supposedly drawing impurities out. This practice, however, has been proven in several studies to not only be ineffective, but also quite risky.
Not only does ear candling fail to clear away earwax efficiently, but it also poses considerable risks. The application of heat near the sensitive structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even exacerbate existing issues. Usually, if you notice any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
In light of these findings, medical professionals 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 apparently 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. Impaction and possible injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The eardrum is sensitive and objects like cotton swabs can cause significant damage. Pain, infection, and hearing impairment can all be the outcomes 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 rather than putting any object in the ear.
Be mindful of the volume: protect against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are constantly inundated by sounds of differing volumes. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from going to sporting events and concerts to strolling down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have detrimental effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s essential to use hearing protection and, if you can, avoid overly loud settings in order to avoid damage. This includes using hearing protection, including earmuffs or earplugs, in noisy settings and restricting exposure to loud noises whenever you can.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re utilizing personal listening devices like headphones and earpods.
If you observe any symptoms, act promptly
Perhaps the most essential aspect of sustaining optimal hearing health is being alert to the signals your ears provide and taking quick action in response to any concerning symptoms. If you wait to get your hearing loss treated you will most likely worsen the problem.
It is essential to identify 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. 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 substantially 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 possible. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, safeguarding our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
Call us today for an assessment if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.