via freepik
We’re taught at a young age the importance of cleanliness. However, when it comes to cleaning the insides of your ears, mistakes are all too common – and they can have devastating consequences.
Improperly cleaning your ears can lead to irreversible damage and hearing loss. If you use the wrong tools or attempt to clean too vigorously, you can also cause wax to impact within your ear canal. This results in temporary hearing loss that will require a visit to an audiology clinic.
Audiologists like Toronto Hearing Consultants can safely clear wax buildup and resolve temporary issues, but no one can reverse hearing damage. These do’s and don’ts will help you safely tackle wax build up.
Don’t Use Sharp Tools
Placing sharp tools for wax removal in your ear is a highly dangerous activity. You can easily puncture your ear drum and cause permanent hearing loss in yourself.
Don’t Use Cotton Swabs
Cotton swabs may seem like a gentler option, and many people use them for ear cleaning, but this is also not recommended. Cotton swabs push wax deeper into your ear canal and can cause impaction.
Don’t Use Chemical Cleaning Agents
Hydrogen peroxide is a common agent in wax-softening ear drops. However, those drops dilute hydrogen peroxide to safe levels. Even diluted, hydrogen peroxide can irritate your ears. Before you use chemical cleaning agents in your own ears, ask yourself why you are so keen on cleaning out your ears and if it may not be wiser to visit an audiologist instead.
Don’t Use Ear Candles
Ear candles promise the power of suction to get wax out of your ears, but they can easily lead to serious injuries such as burns, and even make your ear problems worse.
Do Use a Damp Cloth
If you are adamant about cleaning out your ears, keep it simple and keep it safe. Use a damp cloth to wipe out your ears, and avoid pushing down into the ear canal, where you can wind up pushing wax deeper in.
Do Talk to an Audiologist If You Have Wax Buildup
In some cases, wax buildup can cause temporary hearing loss, and you do need to have it removed. If you find that your hearing has suddenly become muffled in one or both ears, the best course of action is to go to an audiologist.
They will examine your ears and test your hearing. They can identify wax buildups and safely remove them without risk to your ears. If the issue is not wax buildup, they can also recommend an appropriate course of treatment.
Do Clean Your Ears Only on Occasion
As a general rule, you do not need to clean your ears. Ears produce wax to protect tissue and prevent infection. After all, your ears are one of the parts of your body where the interior is exposed to the outside world and all the hazards that come with it. Think of wax as a line of defence against all of the dirt, germs, and irritants that could otherwise get inside. Clean your ears sparingly.
Your ears need wax to stay healthy and functional. If you do decide to clean your ears, use safe equipment.
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