Ear health: All you need to know

You only need to read one article to understand ear hygiene, and it is this article.

In this article, we outline general ear cleaning and hygiene tips. Ears not only let us hear, but they also play a role in allowing us to maintain our balance. When we talk about ear health, we’re usually talking about ear wax. But what isn’t common knowledge is that there are other aspects to ear hygiene that are important.

It is important not to take our ears for granted. Here are some general tips when it comes to ear hygiene

Cleaning

• Stick to the outside. Wipe the outer ear with a washcloth or tissue.
• Do not go inside the ear, not even with QTips. (Find out why here)
• Do not put anything into your ear smaller than your elbow. Foreign objects, especially sharper ones, may injure the ear canal or eardrum.

Earwax

• Earwax is the ear’s mechanism for self cleaning. Contrary to popular belief, it is good for you.
• In cases where you have a build-up of wax that is blocking your hearing, see your doctor to have it removed.
• Itching or pain in the ears, could be an indication that you need to see a specialist.
• If you have piercings, clean your earlobes (and earrings) regularly with rubbing alcohol.

Illness and Medications

• Nip problems in the bud. Lower the chances of infections by treating ears, nose, and throat infections as soon as possible.
• Hearing problems may be symptomatic of another underlying illness. Sudden hearing loss,
• or perhaps constant noise in your ears or head, is a cause for concern. Professional opinion should be sought.
• Drainage from the ear is also not normal, and an ear doctor should be consulted.
• Some medications can affect hearing. If you experience changes in hearing after taking them, you’d be advised to consult a professional.

Noise

• It should make sense; noise damages hearing, so to protect your ears, limit noise. One way is the use of hearing protection. Some outdoor sports shops carry ear-protecting headgear.
• Normal ear buds that accompany MP3 players or phones, do not protect your hearing. Consider noise cancelling headphones if you are around loud places or use power tools often.
• Use your discretion. If you think the stereo system is too loud, it probably is. A good gauge is to see if someone else can hear what you are listening to. If they can’t , the volume is too high.
• Remove the headphones from your ear every now and then to give your ears a rest.
• Wear earplugs when in loud surroundings, like concerts or sports games. This helps protect your hearing.
• If you’re commuting, keep the music or radio at sensible volumes. Aside from the reduced risk of hearing damage, this will allow you to hear and respond to crises or sirens (from emergency vehicles).

Safety Issues

• Use common sense. If you’re using a bike, or ski, or engaging in any other activity that puts you at risk for head and ear injuries, make sure you acquire, and use, a helmet.
• Ear problems due to pressure changes (barotrauma) typically occur during diving and flying (in aiplanes). If diving, learn and practice proper underwater techniques to avoid potentially damaging changes in pressure inside your ears. When flying, keep the upper respiratory area active. Swallow and yawn frequently when the plane is ascending and descending to equalize pressure in your ears
• You can also use the Valsalva maneuver or a decongestant spray to help ease the pain in your ear during flights.

General Care

• In general, if it doesn’t feel right, or you’re concerned, have it checked by a doctor. Its better to be safe than sorry. As such, it’s advisable to have your ears checked regularly by your primary care physician.
• If you’re in a sunny place, you could use a sunscreen on your ears.
• Be familiar with the symptoms of hearing loss:
• Trouble hearing conversations, and having to ask people to repeat what they said.
• Preferring the television or radio volume to be louder than others in the room prefer
• Having the impression that most people are are mumbling
• Lip-reading just to try and follow what people are saying
• Finding yourself unable to keep up with conversations
• Noise within your ears or head, which is NOT caused by an external sound source. This is also known as Tinnitus.

Your ears are a valuable organ in the mechanism called the human body. Keep them healthy and safe!