No doubt that they play a critical role in our daily lives, from sunrise to sunset, so learning how to take our of ears should be given attention just as much as brushing our teeth or caring for our eyes and so forth.
The great part is that taking care of them is not as demanding, however, doing so, will keep you on top of good hearing health and hygiene.
Our ears go through a lot
There are so many insults which our ears can be subjected to on a daily basis. Here are just a couple of things that affect your hearing and cause some ear trouble.
- Excessive earwax build-up
- Loud Noises,
- Swimmer’s Ear,
- Each infections, e.g. Otitis Media
- Perforated Eardrums,
- Ear blockages, e.g. foreign objects, insects, etc..
- Eczema of the Ear and
- The outer ear may also be subjected to certain type of injuries, e.g. physical blows to the ear,etc
Lets Talk about Earwax
Here are some interesting facts on the “gooey-waxy” substance that gets built up in our ears.
- The scientific name for earwax is cerumen,
- There are principally two types of earwax, wet(yellow brown) or dry(white) wax– this is usually genetically predetermined,
- Earwax can help to diagnose certain diseases,
- It consists of secretions from the sweat glands and fatty materials as well as hair and dirt, from the outer ear.
What is the function of earwax?
The earwax helps to cleanse and allow for lubrication within the ear. Not only does it protect the skin of the ear canal but it also serves to protect against the bacteria, fungi, insects and even water that may enter the ear. So, it very much serves a similar purpose to what our nose hairs does, to prevent foreign matter from entering our nasal passages!!
How to take care of your ears when there is an excessive wax accumulation?
Please note that even though you may get large amounts of wax produced in the ear, it may still not cause any symptoms. So there is no need to get alarmed at all.
When I visited my E.N.T, I asked him, “How often should one clean their ears?” His answer : Never.
By nature the ears are self-cleaning. As I mentioned the wax is actually secreted by the outer part of the ear canal. Without any “active” cleansing, and with time, the old wax should move to the exit area of the ear which can be simply wiped with a cloth after a shower.
Is it safe for me to use cotton ear-buds to remove the earwax?
This is a definite no-no. You should not attempt earwax removal at home with cotton swabs, bobby pins or pencils.
Cause they are the culprits!!! Yes, they push the wax more further into the canal and can go as far as causing damage to the ear-drum.
What about the use of ear-candles?
What is the hype on “ear-candles.”? If you punch ear candles into Google, you will pull up around 670 000!!! search results. Wow!!! does ear candling or coning really work?
They are hollow cones made of cloth that are soaked into beeswax or paraffin. This funnel is placed with one end into the ear and the other end is ignited with a flame. It is claimed that while the flame is burning oxygen is drawn from the flame and this produces a vacuum that literally pulls out any residue from within the ear.
This technique is said to have helped for not only the removal of earwax, but the relief of sinus build-up, allergies and TMJ, hearing loss treatment, improvement of sense of smell and taste.
But does it actually work? According to the American Academy of Audiology, ear candling which is also called Thermal-Auricular Theraphy, showed NO benefit or effectiveness and can cause serious injury.
People have reported to have suffered injuries from ear candling such as” burns, ear canal occlusions and secondary ear infections with temporary hearing losses.”
What is also so scary is that some ear candles are marketed safe for use in children (or babies), which puts them at risk too.
When should you worry about earwax problems?
If you start feeling some of the symptoms below as a result of excessive earwax, then it is a good idea to get it checked out by a doctor, or a hearing health professional.
- Feeling of fullness or congestion,
- Ringing of the ears or Tinnitus and
- Hearing difficulty.
If however, you usually have ear wax build-up, and know your ears quite well, then there are general and safe ear wax removal strategies you can implement at home.
Maintaining your ear
There are softening agents that you can use to get rid of the excessive ear-wax. Things like, sweet oil. Place a few drops of these once a week into the ear.
Various commercial ear drops are available such as Dibrox or Murine which will do the trick as well.
Home Irrigation Kits
These are saline containing ear wax removal systems. I would recommend choosing one that has been approved by an ENT.
The benefits that these products offers are the following
- Safe and Gentle
- Alcohol and Oil Free
- Pain Free
- Safe for kids over 5years and up.
- Home irrigation should not be done if a person has a perforated eardrum. The reason is that water can enter the middle ear and cause complications.
- Irrigation is also not to be done if there is any discharge from the ear, because the discharge may be coming from the perforated ear-drum.
In these instances, a doctor may remove the earwax with a blunt instrument with a loop at the end or a vacuum device.
Exactly how does a doctor or a nurse perform an irrigation of your ear?
The tip of a water-filled syringe is place just inside the ear canal, and a stream of warm water is gently directed into the ear canal to remove the ear wax.
Check out the video demonstrating the Irrigation of the Ears. Courtesy of Stephen Bergs.
Hearing Aid and Ear Wax
I wear a hearing aid now to help me with my tinnitus and hearing. As I mentioned in my ‘About Me,‘ page I am completely deaf in my right ear, so to say that this device is my lifesaver is truly an understatement.
For those of you who wear hearing aids, you might have already noticed the challenges of earwax build-up that comes with wearing them. I know I have. It is said the hearing aids, prevent the normal out flow of ear wax. Another theory is that there is an increase in gland secretion activity in the ear thereby an increase in wax build-up.
You may have found that the earwax may clog the microphones or receivers of the hearing aid. This impacts in two ways,
- The performance and sound clarity may be reduced,
- There is a decrease in the overall effectiveness of the hearing aid.
- Regularly maintain your hearing aid, by clearing out excessive wax on the moulds,
- Place hearing aid in dehumifider, to drain out excess moisture,
- Before placing hearing aid in the ear, wash away any wax on the outer ear using soap and water and dry with a cloth.
How to take care of your ears from loud noise? Plain and simple, try to avoid exposure as far as possible.
Did You know?
Approximately, 1.1 Billion teenagers and young adults worldwide are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss as a result of unsafe use of audio devices.
I understand that sometimes you can’t always avoid noisy environments especially if it’s your work place. Having said that, check that adequate hearing protection is available.
Some tips to help you
- Try not to listen to loud noise for more than two hours straight. If fact, I would recommend the 60/60 Rule. No more than 60% volume for no more than 60minutes.
- Make sure that the noise level does not exceed 85decibels.
- At concerts do not stand too close to loudspeakers.
- Rather make use of over the ear headphones rather than in the ear ones.
Other tips on how to take care of your ears
I am a big fan of exercise. I love to do my Zumba Dance workout and P90X Fitness routines. Cardio exercise helps to keep the blood pumping and improve blood flow to all areas including the ears. This helps to keep the internal parts healthy and working to their maximum potential.
Regular check ups. If you have constant ear wax build up, then I recommend scheduling appointments for your ear wax removal by your doctor every 6 to 12months. In addition, have your hearing tested as well. An audiology test should be done every 6 or 12months.
Its no lie that stress is responsible for a ton of medical and health related conditions. Tinnitus for one, can be aggravated by stress levels and controlling this is the key to managing it. I find spending time in nature curbs the stress levels and does wonders for the mind and body.
⇒Check out my article, “Nature’s Touch, and how it helps the ringing in my ears.” to see the benefit I get from Mother Nature.⇐
We learned about the importance of earwax, the benefit it offers and ways to prevent its build-up. You have also learned amount irrigation of the ear canal and the dangers of using ear buds and ear candles.
Whilst loud music is a big contributing factor to damaging your hearing capacity, there are various other things that can cause hearing problems. How to take care of your ears, by reducing stress levels, can prevent tinnitus from flaring up, either permanently or temporarily.
Regular check ups, both for hearing and ear wax removal, will ensure that you are up to date on how well your ears are performing.
“A little goes a long Way.”
Just like everything else we do, it is important to give our attention to the ears from time to time. Its better to know if something is wrong, now, rather than to find out later, when its too late and could have been prevented!
Thanks for joining me here today.
Hope this article has helped you. Please share with your loved ones and friends so that everyone can take responsibility in taking care of their ears.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
All the best and take care
Kwa kweli, kuna mambo mengi ambayo tunapaswa kuzingatia katika maisha yetu ya kila siku, kuanzia kuchomoza hadi machweo, na tunapaswa kuwa makini sana na jinsi ya kuondoa masikio yetu, kama vile kuosha meno, kuosha macho, na kadhalika. Kwa kweli, ni muhimu kuzingatia kwamba kuwahudumia sio kazi ngumu, lakini kufanya hivyo kutakuwezesha kuwa na afya nzuri ya kusikia na usafi. Masikio yetu yanatumia mengi, kuna matusi mengi ambayo masikio yetu yanaweza kuwa chini ya kila siku. Hapa kuna mambo kadhaa ambayo yanaweza kuathiri kusikia kwako na kusababisha matatizo ya sikio. - Over-earwax kujenga-up - Sauti kubwa, - Swimmer' s Ear, - Kila maambukizi, kwa mfano. Otitis Media - Perforated Eardrums, - Matatizo ya sikio, kwa mfano Eczema ya sikio: Eczema ya sikio inaweza kuwa na athari kwa njia ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu ya matibabu. "Kama vile ""Earwax"" na ""Earswax"" ni vitu vya kawaida vya kuvutia, lakini kwa kweli ni vitu vya kawaida vya kuvutia, na hivyo ni muhimu kwa ajili ya kuhifadhi." Kwa kawaida, kuna aina mbili za wax ya sikio, mvua (kahawia ya manjano) au kavu (nyeupe) - hii ni ya kibinadamu, - Earwax inaweza kusaidia kugundua magonjwa fulani, - Inajumuisha secretions kutoka kibofu cha jasho na vifaa vya mafuta, pamoja na nywele na uchafu, kutoka sikio la nje. Mchuzi wa masikio hufanya nini? Mchuzi wa sikio husaidia kusafisha na kuruhusu mafuta yawe ndani ya sikio. Ni muhimu sana kwamba si tu kuhifadhi ngozi ya sikio, lakini pia kulinda dhidi ya bakteria, kuvu, wadudu na hata maji ambayo inaweza kuingia katika sikio. Kwa hiyo, hutumikia kusudi sawa na lile linalotumiwa na nywele za pua yetu, kuzuia vitu vya kigeni visingeni katika njia zetu za pua!! Jinsi ya kutunza masikio yako wakati kuna mkusanyiko wa wax kupita kiasi? Kumbuka kwamba hata kama unaweza kupata kiasi kikubwa cha wax katika sikio, bado inaweza kusababisha dalili yoyote. Kwa hiyo hakuna haja ya kuwa na wasiwasi hata kidogo. Nilipomtembelea E.N.T. wangu, nilimwuliza, "Ni mara ngapi mtu anapaswa kusafisha masikio yake?" Jibu lake: Kamwe. Kwa asili masikio hujisafisha yenyewe. Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, wax ni sehemu ya nje ya mfereji wa sikio. Bila kusafisha yoyote "kazi", na kwa muda, wax zamani lazima hoja kwa eneo la exit ya sikio ambayo inaweza tu kufuta na kitambaa baada ya kuoga. Je, ni salama kutumia vifuniko vya masikio vya pamba ili kuondoa nta? Hii ni dhahiri hapana-hapana. Usijaribu kuondoa madoa ya masikio nyumbani kwa kutumia vijiti vya pamba, pini za kichwa, au penseli. Kwa sababu wao ndio wahalifu!!! Ndiyo, huingiza nta hiyo zaidi ndani ya mfereji na inaweza kuharibu utando wa sikio. Namna gani kuhusu kutumia mishumaa ya masikio? Ni nini hype juu ya <unk>ear-mashumaa.<unk>? Ikiwa utapata shanga za sikio kwenye Google, utapata karibu 670 000! matokeo ya utafutaji. Wow!!! Je, kweli kutumia shanga au koni kwenye masikio hufanya kazi? Ni vifuniko vyenye matundu vilivyotengenezwa kwa kitambaa ambacho kimenyunyizwa katika nta ya nyuki au parafini. Funnel hii huwekwa na mwisho mmoja ndani ya sikio na mwisho mwingine huwasha moto. Inasemekana kwamba wakati moto unapowaka, oksijeni huchukuliwa kutoka kwa moto na hii hutokeza utupu ambao kwa kweli huondoa mabaki yoyote ndani ya sikio. Utaratibu huu unasema kuwa umesaidia sio tu kuondoa wax ya sikio, lakini pia kupunguza sinus buildup, allergies na TMJ, matibabu ya upotezaji wa kusikia, kuboresha hisia ya harufu na ladha. Lakini je, kwa kweli inafanya kazi? Kulingana na Chuo cha Amerika cha Audiology, Candling ya sikio, ambayo pia inaitwa Thermal-Auricular Therapy, haionyeshi faida au ufanisi na inaweza kusababisha majeraha makubwa. Watu wameripotiwa kuwa na majeraha kutokana na kusimamishwa kwa shanga za sikio kama vile kuchomwa, kufungwa kwa mfereji wa sikio na maambukizo ya sikio ya sekondari na upotezaji wa kusikia wa muda. Ni wakati gani unapaswa kuwa na wasiwasi kuhusu matatizo ya matumbo? Ikiwa unaanza kuhisi dalili hizi kama matokeo ya uchafu wa sikio kupita kiasi, basi ni wazo nzuri kupata daktari au mtaalamu wa afya ya kusikia. - Hisia ya kujaa au msongamano, - Kelele ya masikio au Tinnitus na - Ugumu wa kusikia. Ikiwa una tatizo la kuondoa wax ya sikio, unaweza kutumia mbinu za kawaida za kuondoa wax ya sikio. Kuna dawa za kuyeyusha ambazo unaweza kutumia ili kuondoa madoa ya sikio. Vitu kama vile, mafuta tamu. Weka matone machache ya dawa hii mara moja kwa wiki ndani ya sikio. Matone mbalimbali ya masikio ya kibiashara yanapatikana kama vile Dibrox au Murine ambayo itafanya ujanja pia. Vifaa vya Umwagiliaji wa Nyumbani Hizi ni mifumo ya kuondoa nta ya sikio yenye saline. Ningependekeza uchague moja ambayo imekubaliwa na Daktari wa Mifupa na Mifupa. Kwa sababu ya faida zake, bidhaa hii ni salama na ya upole, haina pombe na mafuta, haina maumivu, na ni salama kwa watoto zaidi ya miaka mitano. - Utiririshaji wa nyumbani haupaswi kufanywa ikiwa mtu ana utando wa sikio uliochimbwa. Sababu ni kwamba maji yanaweza kuingia katika sikio la kati na kusababisha matatizo. - Utiririshaji pia haupaswi kufanywa ikiwa kuna kutokwa kutoka kwa sikio, kwa sababu kutokwa kunaweza kuja kutoka kwa ngoma ya sikio iliyochimbwa. Katika hali kama hizo, daktari anaweza kuondoa madoa ya masikio kwa kutumia kifaa kisicho na madoa au kifaa cha kusafisha. Ni jinsi gani daktari au muuguzi hufanya upasuaji wa kuosha sikio? Ncha ya sindano iliyojaa maji huwekwa ndani ya mfereji wa sikio, na mtiririko wa maji ya joto huelekezwa polepole ndani ya mfereji wa sikio ili kuondoa nta ya sikio. Angalia video inayoonyesha Utiririshaji wa Masikio. Kwa neema ya Stephen Bergs. Vifaa vya kusikia na wax ya sikio Ninavaa kifaa cha kusikia sasa kunisaidia na tinnitus yangu na kusikia. Kama nilivyosema katika ukurasa wangu wa 'Kuhusu Mimi', mimi ni kiziwi kabisa katika sikio langu la kulia, kwa hiyo kusema kwamba kifaa hiki ni mwokozi wangu ni kweli understatement. Kwa wale ambao wamevaa vifaa vya kusikia, unaweza kuwa na wasiwasi juu ya uwezekano wa kuunda wax katika masikio. Najua nimefanya hivyo. Inasemekana kwamba vifaa vya kusaidia kusikia huzuia mtiririko wa kawaida wa nta ya sikio. Nadharia nyingine ni kwamba kuna ongezeko la utendaji wa kutokwa kwa tezi katika sikio na hivyo ongezeko la ongezeko la nta. Kwa mfano, unaweza kuona kwamba madoa ya masikio yaweza kuziba vipaza-sauti au vipaza-sauti vya vifaa vya kusikia. Hii ina athari kwa njia mbili: Utendaji na uwazi wa sauti inaweza kupunguzwa, kuna kupungua kwa ufanisi wa jumla wa kifaa cha kusikia. - Hudumisha kifaa chako cha kusikia kwa mara kwa mara, kwa kuondoa nta ya kupita kiasi kwenye maumbo, - Weka kifaa cha kusikia katika dehumidifier, ili kuondoa unyevu wa ziada, - Kabla ya kuweka kifaa cha kusikia katika sikio, osha wax yoyote kwenye sikio la nje kwa kutumia sabuni na maji na kukausha kwa kitambaa. Jinsi ya kuhifadhi masikio yako kutokana na kelele kubwa Ni rahisi na rahisi, jaribu kuepuka kuambukizwa kadiri iwezekanavyo. Je, ulijua? Takriban vijana bilioni 1.1 ulimwenguni kote wako katika hatari ya kupoteza kusikia kwa sababu ya kelele kama matokeo ya matumizi yasiyo salama ya vifaa vya sauti. Mimi kuelewa kwamba wakati mwingine huwezi daima kuepuka mazingira yenye kelele hasa kama ni mahali pa kazi yako. Baada ya kusema hivyo, angalia kama kuna kinga ya kutosha ya kusikia. Baadhi ya vidokezo vinavyoweza kukusaidia - Jaribu kutosikiliza kelele kubwa kwa zaidi ya saa mbili mfululizo. Kwa hivyo, kwa sababu ya hali hii, tunapendekeza sheria ya 60: 60 ya kuendesha. Uwezo wa kupima kiasi cha 60% kwa muda wa dakika 60 - Hakikisha kwamba kiwango cha kelele haizidi 85dB. - Wakati wa maonyesho ya muziki usisimame karibu sana na vipaza-sauti. - Badala ya kutumia vichwa vya sauti juu ya sikio badala ya ndani ya sikio. Maelezo mengine ya jinsi ya kuhifadhi masikio yako ni muhimu sana kwa ajili ya mazoezi. Kwa mfano, unaweza kufanya mazoezi ya Zumba na mazoezi ya mazoezi ya mwili ya P90X. Mazoezi ya moyo huongeza msukumo wa damu na kuboresha mtiririko wa damu katika sehemu zote za mwili, ikiwa ni pamoja na masikio. Hilo husaidia kudumisha afya ya sehemu za ndani na kufanya kazi kwa uwezo wao wote. Uchunguzi wa kawaida. Ikiwa una tatizo la kuharibika kwa matumbo, tafadhali weka ratiba ya kuondoa matumbo kila baada ya miezi sita. Kwa kuongezea, jaribu pia kusikia. Uchunguzi wa sauti unapaswa kufanywa kila baada ya miezi sita. Hakuna ubishi kwamba mkazo ni wajibu kwa ajili ya tani ya matibabu na afya zinazohusiana na hali. Tinnitus inaweza kuongezeka kwa sababu ya viwango vya mkazo, na kudhibiti hii ni ufunguo wa kusimamia. Kupitia wakati katika mazingira ya asili kunapunguza viwango vya mkazo na hufanya maajabu kwa akili na mwili. "Kama unajua, ""Nature's Touch"" ni makala ya kuvutia sana, na inaonyesha jinsi ya kuzuia sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti ya sauti." Pia, unaweza kujifunza jinsi ya kuondoa uvimbe wa masikio na hatari za kutumia vijiti vya masikio. Ingawa sauti kubwa ya muziki ni moja ya sababu kuu za kuharibu uwezo wako wa kusikia, kuna mambo mengine mengi yanayoweza kusababisha matatizo ya kusikia. Kuondoa wasiwasi na wasiwasi wa kusikia kunaweza kuzuia tinnitus kutoka kwa kuwaka, iwe ya kudumu au ya muda. Uchunguzi wa mara kwa mara, kwa kusikia na kuondoa wax ya sikio, utahakikisha kuwa unajua jinsi masikio yako yanavyofanya kazi. Kama kila kitu kingine tunachofanya, ni muhimu kuzingatia masikio yetu mara kwa mara. Ni afadhali kujua kama kuna kitu kibaya, sasa, kuliko kugundua baadaye, wakati ni kuchelewa sana na inaweza kuwa kuzuiwa! Asanteni kwa kujiunga nami hapa leo. Natumaini makala hii imekusaidia. Tafadhali shirikisha na wapendwa wako na marafiki ili kila mtu aweze kuchukua jukumu la kutunza masikio yao. Natarajia kusikia kutoka kwako. Kila la kheri na kuwa na huduma