Hello
friends! As we all know, the human ear is an advanced and very sensitive organ
of the body. They are responsible both
for our hearing and for our sense of balance. Being one of our most important
senses, the ability to hear is what enables us to connect to the world for many
important reasons. The main function of the ear is to detect and transmit
sounds to the brain by its unique mechanism using different parts like the outer
ear, middle ear, inner ear, etc.
Unfortunately,
many of us don't take the time to care for our ears properly, leading to many
problems. Ear problems can be caused by several factors, such as environmental
allergies, ear wax build-up, blocked ears, or even infectious diseases. We can avoid
most ear problems by taking proper care of our ears.
The
following are some of the easy and simple ways to achieve optimum hearing and protect
the ears from any future problems. Let’s
dive into the subject right away.
1. Cleaning the ears
The
external ear can be cleaned with a damp washcloth. Earwax buildup in the ears is common and normal,
and it is good to a certain level as it provides a defensive mechanism against
foreign particles from entering the ear. Once the wax buildup reaches a certain
level, it automatically gets expelled in small quantities and the debris can be
found when cleaning the external ear with a damp washcloth. However, excessive
buildup of wax leading to discomfort, muffled hearing, dizziness, etc., would
require manual removal. The best way to get the wax removed is to let the doctor
do it, who may use tools like forceps, suction devices, cerumen spoon, etc.,
safely for removal.
Over-the-counter
ear drops and wax softeners containing ingredients like glycerin, baby oil, mineral
oil, saline, peroxide, etc., are now available on the market widely. These may
also help soften the wax and decrease wax-related problems. The simple process
usually involves instilling a specific amount of drops into the ear, waiting for
some time, letting the wax soften, and rinsing the ear out. However, the instructions on the package must
be strictly followed.
2. Avoid loud noises
Noise
is the main cause of hearing loss.
Sounds emitted from machines like chainsaws, electric drills,
landscaping equipment, power tools, sounds from loudspeakers, etc., where one
needs to shout to speak to a person standing next, could impact the hearing
abilities dangerously. Continuous
exposure to noise for extended periods could lead to hearing loss.
Avoiding
the noise is the best practice. In situations where the noise cannot be
avoided, regular breaks from noise would be helpful. Earplugs should be
used. A noisy work environment requires the
use of hearing protection by law. Sounds
over 70 decibels are harmful to the ears.
3. Use a humidifier to moisten the ears.
Moisture
is essential for healthy ears, and using a humidifier can help to keep them
moist and healthy. Using a humidifier can also help to relieve dryness and
irritation in the ear canal. Auditory
sensitivity will also be increased by the moisture levels in the air, enabling
improved hearing.
On
the other hand, excessive moisture could let the bacteria into the ear, leading
to problems like the swimmers' ear, which could impact hearing ability. Gentle drying of the ears with a cloth would
do to avoid such problems. If water is still felt in the ear, tilting the head
sideward to facilitate easy drainage of water would help.
4. Avoid cotton swabs as they can cause ear damage
Cotton
swabs are one of the most commonly used methods to clean wax out of the ear
canal and these do more harm than good to the ears. Not only are cotton swabs ineffective at
removing dirt and wax, but they can also damage the ear canal and cause hearing
loss. A small amount of wax in the ears
is not only normal but is required to facilitate the self-defensive mechanism
of the ears. The little wax prevents the
harmful particles from entering the ears and thus acts as a protective shield. The self-cleaning mechanism of the ears
expels the excessive wax buildup automatically after a certain buildup. Thus,
cotton swabs are to be avoided.
5. Treat nose and throat infections promptly to reduce the risk of ear infections
Throat
infection or sore throat could cause an ear infection too. The causative bacteria from the throat can
travel to the middle ear to spread the infection. Infections like strep throat that cause pain,
discomfort, fever, and difficulty swallowing can also lead to an ear infection
causing congestion of the Eustachian tubes. This is because the Eustachian tubes connect the
middle ear to the back of the throat behind the nasal passages. The tubes that connect to the throat would open
and close to refresh the air in the ear, drain secretions, and regulate air
pressure. Thus the complex connections
of the ears, nose, and throat cause the throat infections to spread to the
ears. Thus, it is important to treat ENT infections to prevent the spread of
infection.
6. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Eating
a balanced diet and plenty of fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to
take care of the ears. A healthy diet
can help improve our overall hearing health while providing the essential
nutrients our ears need to function optimally. Furthermore, by eating a
balanced diet, there is a reduced risk of developing ear diseases such as
otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear) and otitis externa (inflammation
of the outer ear). So, by making sure to include plenty of fruits and
vegetables in the diet every day, we will be on our way to perfect hearing
health.
The
ideal ear-friendly diet among others should include:
1.
Banana,
the magnesium-rich fruit, to prevent shrinkage in the blood vessels of the
inner ear.
2.
Fish
like salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 and vitamin D, to prevent hearing loss
by improving coordination between the brain and ears.
3.
Dark
chocolate, which is rich in zinc, provides immunity against common ear
infections.
4.
Oranges
and other citrus fruits take care of free radicals responsible for causing
age-related hearing loss and ear infections.
5.
Milk,
a good source of vitamins A, B (B1 to B6), D, E, and K, and minerals, that also
functions as antioxidant, is essential for maintaining the sensitive fluid in
the inner ear.
6.
Green
leaves like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, etc., an ideal source of folic acid,
vitamin K and C, potassium, and magnesium, prevent damage to sensitive tissues
of the inner ear.
Thus,
a properly balanced diet helps with overall ear health.
7. Listening to music through earbuds or headphones.
People
usually keep listening to music for long periods at higher volumes beyond the
recommended volume levels, and this could cause hearing loss. When the volume levels go beyond 85 decibels,
the hair cells of the inner ear can get damaged. Exposure to such volume levels for up to 8
hours is considered safe and beyond 8 hours could damage the hearing
capability. The following are the
recommendations for those music lovers to listen to music safely.
1.
Use
headphones, not earbuds.
Ear-buds are silicone or plastic devices
that are placed directly into the ears. The closer the sound source to the
eardrum, the higher the risk of developing hearing damage. As headphones are
worn over the ears, thus relatively is a safer alternative.
2.
Lower
the volume.
The best way to listen to music while
protecting the hearing capabilities is to lower the volume of listening. If
others can listen to the music coming from the headphones, it is not considered
safe and the volume needs to be reduced.
3.
Noise-canceling
headphones.
The common problem with the headphones
is that they allow the outside noises and this will make us increase the
volume. Noise-canceling headphones limit
the outside noise and cancel out background sounds. Thus noise-canceling headphones are advised.
4.
Follow
the 60/60 rule.
Experts recommend this 60/60 rule for
the safety of the ears. As per this
rule, 60 minutes of listening to music at a time is recommended at 60% of the
maximum available volume limit. This set can be repeated after a break.
5.
Set
volume limit.
Most of the music-playing devices come
with volume settings that can be customized as per the requirements and thus a
specific volume limit can be set, considering the safety of the ears.
8. Use a hearing aid if necessary
If
there are symptoms suggestive of any kind of hearing loss, it is important to
consult a doctor and get an assessment. This will help to determine the extent
of hearing loss if any and will help the professional to decide if there is any
need for a hearing aid. A hearing aid not only restores the ability to hear
normally but can also improve the quality of life. When used correctly, the hearing
aid can even help reduce stress and anxiety. So, it is advisable to get the
assessment done with any symptoms of hearing loss.
9. Physical activity
Yes,
physical activity is important for ear health. Exercises like walking, cycling,
running, etc., pump blood to all parts of the body including the ears. Thus the
internal parts of the ears stay healthy and work to their maximum potential.
Yoga
is yet another option. There are quite a
lot of yogic exercises that are effective in maintaining ear health like head
rotation, legs up the wall, neck flexion and extension, cobra, downward dog,
tree, etc.
Appropriate
physical activity has become a must not only for ear health but also for the overall
health of an individual. 30-60 min of physical activity daily for 6 days every
week is advised.
10. Stress level management
Tinnitus
(ringing in the ears) is linked to stress and anxiety. Stress at high levels could result in an instinctual
reaction, which fills the body with adrenaline to prepare you for the worst,
putting a lot of pressure on the nerves, blood flow, body heat, etc. This pressure from stress could affect the
inner ear and cause tinnitus.
Ear
massage (reflexology or auriculotherapy) relieves stress by stimulating some pressure
points on the ear. Relaxation is important for tinnitus. Learning some relaxation techniques helps in
preventing tinnitus before its onset.
11. Regular Checkups
The
best way to make sure everything is going fine with the ears is to regularly visit
the ear care professional and get an assessment done. They check for hearing loss among others and
provide the necessary recommendations accordingly to ensure the ears continue
to be healthy.
With
signs of hearing loss, tinnitus, clogged ears, etc., a visit with the
professional is warranted. One can get
the hearing screening incorporated into the regular mandatory yearly physical
examinations.
Regular
checkups are important to detect any problems in the early stages as hearing
loss, if left untreated, could result in distraction from social life with
effects on quality of life, could impart relationships, eventually leading to
depression, dementia, etc.
12 Precautions during air travel
There
are a few precautions that should be taken to prevent “airplane ear,” sensation
of stuffiness, a sensation of fullness, muffled feeling, or discomfort in the ears,
especially during rapid altitude changes. These ear symptoms can be taken care of by
swallowing air, yawning, and chewing gum mainly during the takeoff and the
landing of the plane. Specially filtered earplugs are now available, which helps
in equalizing ear pressure.
Conclusion
Ears
are one of the most important parts of the body, and as such, they deserve
special attention and care by keeping them clean, moist, and safe, not exposing
them to noise, adopting the 60/60 rule, having an ear-friendly diet, providing sufficient
rest time to them, by physical activity, by avoiding stress, etc. The steps outlined above are easy and
effective in allowing the ears to perform at their optimum levels for longer periods.
These
simple tips on lifestyle modifications can help a lot in the process of achieving
the best ear health. However, you can
experiment with one method at a time and slowly keep adding more methods as you
continue to progress on your journey towards achieving optimum ear health.
Some
methods may seem easy to some people and some methods may seem not so easy to
some people. But believe me, these are the time-tested and scientifically
proven methods that are bound to give the desired results.
I
wish you all the very best in your journey towards achieving optimum ear health.
Thanks
for reading.
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If
you still find these methods somehow not suitable for you, here is a super
simple way to care for ears. Click here to learn more.
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