Your hearing is very important but, luckily, there are a lot of things you can do to care for your ears at home. Here are some expert tips to make sure your auditory health stays in peak condition.
Think About Volume
If you’re going to be exposed to very loud noises, for example, if you’re using a chainsaw, or if you’re a musician who plays regularly in loud venues, you should always wear earplugs. This will help to protect your ears from damage. If you’re listening to music through earbuds or headphones, turn down the volume. Whenever possible, headphones are a better choice than earbuds since they don’t fit next to your eardrum.
Don’t Use Cotton Buds
Many people are still using cotton buds to clean their ear canal but this is not recommended. You actually need some wax in your ears to protect from bacteria, dust and dirt so removing all of it puts you at risk of infections. Also, if you insert anything into your ear canal you run the risk of damaging your eardrum. If you’re suffering from a build-up of excess ear wax, make an appointment to have microsuction to remove it safely.
Dry Your Ears After Swimming
Excess moisture allows bacteria to get into the ear canal and cause infections. Swimmer’s ear and other ear infections can damage your hearing, so take the time to dry your ears thoroughly with a towel after you swim, shower or bathe. If you have water inside your ear, don’t try to poke anything into your ear canal to remove it. Instead, tilt your head sideways and lightly tug on your ear lobe. This will coax out the water. Swimming earplugs are also a good option to keep your ears safe while you’re in the water.
Avoid Taking Painkillers Too Often
If you regularly use painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin, you should consider reducing the amount you take. These medications are ototoxic and can cause temporary or even permanent hearing loss. It’s fine to take painkillers from time to time, but if you use them daily you could be causing permanent hearing damage. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Stop Smoking
Smoking doesn’t just harm your lungs and heart, it can increase your risk of hearing problems. The chemicals used in cigarette manufacture may affect how the ears process sounds, and smokers have a 15% greater risk of hearing loss than non-smokers.
Have An Auditory Check-Up
It’s important to regularly have a hearing screening to check your ears. Hearing loss develops slowly over time, so seeing auditory healthcare professionals regularly will help to spot any sign of hearing loss quickly so you can take action. If hearing loss is untreated, it can lead to other complications, not to mention spoiling your quality of life, so make sure you seek professional help as soon as you notice a problem.
Follow these expert tips and you’ll be giving yourself the best chance of minimising hearing loss and protecting your auditory health.
If you would like to book an appointment or ask us a question about our ear wax removal service, please get in touch with us on 0330 057 8443 or email us at theteam@premierearcare.co.uk.