Do you value your ears? It is quite easy to take your ears for granted. Pretty sure you do not wake up in the morning thinking about if you value your ears until you notice something is wrong. It could be ear pain due to some kind of growth or hearing loss. Preventing these issues from happening is very easy and will not cost you anything other than your time.
This is why it is important to take ear health seriously. Do not wait until something happens before you remember that you have ears. Continue reading to know things to do if you value your ears.
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10 easy things to do if you value your ears
Avoid loud noises
While it is almost impossible to avoid noisy places, especially if you do not live in estates or other posh places, you can minimise the number of times you find yourself in an environment where there is too much noise. Noise can come from anywhere, including power tools, concerts, clubs, bars, lawnmowers, firearms, vehicle, aircraft and even the generator at your backyard. If you are exposed to those noises on a regular basis, you stand the risk of developing hearing problems. If you value your ears, avoid them but if you can’t, then it is best protect yourself against them. This includes getting an earplug to block out the noise.
Do not play loud music on your headphones
This one may be hard for the Gen-Z and other young music lovers but it is a hard truth that needs to be told. Headphones can be disastrous to your ear health. If you cannot hear external sounds when your headphones are on, or if the person next to you can hear it too, it means it is too loud. Ears have a limited capacity to handle loud sounds, and exposing them to excessive volumes can cause permanent hearing loss.
Also, constantly playing loud music with your headphone can increase the risk of developing tinnitus, a condition characterised by a constant ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. This can cause a lifelong damage to your health, including making it difficult to concentrate or sleep. If you love headphones so much, consider lowering the volume well. You will not die if you don’t play music that is loud enough to bring down the roof.
3. Don’t use cotton swabs
We grew up using cotton swabs to clean out ears but it is actually a dangerous practice. The National Institute of Health (NIH) found that cotton swabs can push earwax deeper into the ear canal to damage the eardrum and ear canal, increasing the risk for hearing problems. Consult a doctor to learn how to clean ears properly. They can recommend using a soft, damp tool to clean the opening of your ear canal, or an approved ear wax removal solution that softens the wax so it can flow out more easily.
Keep your ears dry
It is common for water to enter your ears while bathing or swimming. Tilt your head to the side after bathing or swimming to get excess water out of your ears, or use a small, soft towel to soak up excess water in your ears. If you are a regular swimmer, consider buying earplugs that prevent water from entering your ear canal. If you value your ears, allowing water to constantly flow into them is something you must stop, else it can increase the risk of infection from harmful bacteria.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise promotes good blood flow and circulation, which can circulate blood and oxygen in your ears for optimal health. In other words, make exercise your priority. Choose effective workout routines that you will enjoy. It does not have to be in a gym. You can try home workouts. Meanwhile, get yourself an earplug if you are swimming or riding a bike to protect your ears.
Don’t smoke
You must have heard this slogan often enough: smokers are liable to die young. It is not just from liver or kidney diseases, your ears can be seriously affected too. Smoking reduces your blood oxygen levels, narrowing blood vessels throughout the body. This includes your ears. In fact, research found that smoking irritates and blocks the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ears to the back of the throat. The Eustachian tubes are also responsible for draining fluid and maintaining air pressure in the ears.
Additionally, smoking interferes with nerves in the ear, making you too sensitive to loud noises which can increase the risk of ear damage. If you smoke, quit it. If you don’t, don’t start it as nicotine can be addictive.
Avoid or reduce stress
Stress increases the body’s production of cortisol and adrenaline, which can trigger the fight-or-flight stress hormones. These hormones can temporarily affect your hearing, which is considered normal. But what is not normal is when you risk permanent hearing loss due to long-term stress. Learn to avoid stress. If you can’t, find a way to manage it effectively. You can listen to soothing music, exercise daily, or find a hobby that will take your mind away from your problems and help you relax.
Keep the sound on your radio or TV as low as possible
Blasting your favourite TV shows, movies, and music at high volumes for hours on end can be tempting. But it is a recipe for disaster for your ears and nervous system. To reduce the risk of permanent hearing loss, tinnitus and other auditory problems, turn down the volume of your devices. Keep the sound at a moderate level so you can be comfortable and also be able to hear other sounds around your environment.
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Watch out for warning signs
If you notice ears ringing, dizziness, muffled sound in the ears, and loss of balance, then know you are experiencing the early signs of ear damage. The first thing to do is remove yourself from the situation or environment that brought on the symptoms. This includes noisy places. Then visit your otolaryngologist for a hearing appointment to confirm whether you are developing ear damage or not.
Go for regular ear check ups
Otolaryngologists recommend getting your hearing tested every three to five years if you are between the ages of 18 and 40. They will also recommend more frequent screening if you have started to experience some degree of hearing loss or have a medical condition that may lead to hearing loss. You can catch any potential issues early on and get appropriate treatment.
