The Real Risks Of DIY Ear Cleaning

 

Many peoples hearing loss happens so gradually that they are unaware of any loss in their hearing. Often it is family or friends that point out that they seem to have some hearing loss.

All over the world people use cotton swabs, cotton buds and ear candling to clean their ears. These seemingly harmless devices aren’t as harmless as they may seem. Most medical professionals, primary care physicians and audiologists alike, will strongly warn you not to use them. From punctured eardrums to super-impacted earwax, medical disasters caused by do-it-yourself (DIY) ear cleaning methods are widespread.

A sharp object vs. a delicate membrane

Our eardrums are extremely delicate and can be ruptured easily just by putting a cotton swab in our ears — even with the lightest touch. Even though punctured eardrums can heal, it is not a pleasant experience and is often very painful. Sometimes, it can also lead to conductive hearing loss, which usually involves a reduction in sound level or the inability to hear faint sounds. If you have ever used a cotton swab to clean your ears, you’ve most likely pushed much of the earwax deeper into your ear canal, and getting that wax out can require help from a medical professional.

Actually, earwax can be a good thing

That’s right, the canals in our ears have specialized cells that produce “cerumen” (aka earwax), which serves as protection for our ears, keeping dirt, dust, and water out of unsafe places. Cleaning out our ears completely means less protection and may lead to ear infections if something were to enter our ear canals. And while some people accumulate more wax than others, using a cotton swab to rid yourself of excess wax will likely cause more harm than good.

How to clean your ears safely

In most cases, the ear canal does not need to be cleaned - it is self-cleaning! A wet face cloth, hot showers, or even washing our hair lets enough water into our ears to loosen any excess earwax, and the skin inside our ear canal grows in an outward spiral formation which allows our earwax to come out easily. Most of the time, earwax loosens enough to fall out on its own in our sleep. The truth is, nothing should be put inside your ears for self-cleaning. Use the corner of a towel to clean around the ear, and behind the ear, but leave the inside of the ear canals for a medical professional.

A serious cleaning requires professional skills

Ford those people who do have heavy wax buildup or need a serious ear cleaning, the safest way to ensure your ears are at their cleanest is to consult a hearing care professional or other physician. Using an otoscope, a lighted device that assists in looking deeply into your ear canal, these specialists can assess your situation and determine the best course of action for your hearing health. Most often, if required, wax can easily be removed by a medical professional in a quick, effective, and pain-free manner.

If you have concerns about your earwax buildup? Consider a hearing check-up. Find a hearing care center near you today and get the treatment you need to make Everyday Sounds Better.

To book your hearing assessment today, contact your local Sonic partner clinic