When was the last time you thought about your ears? But like your eyes, teeth, and skin, your ears need care, too. Ear health is essential to your overall well-being. Ignoring it can lead to serious issues like permanent hearing loss.
Why ear health matters
Your ears do more than help you hear. They also play a significant role in balance and overall quality of life. If you have trouble hearing, it can affect your ability to communicate, enjoy music or even be aware of your surroundings.
Over time, untreated hearing problems can lead to frustration, isolation and even cognitive decline. This is why Andrew Heffernan, MD, an otolaryngologist at Bon Secours Carolina ENT in our Greenville market, says ear health is just as important as taking care of the rest of your body.
If you notice hearing issues, have pain or other issues, make an appointment with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician to have them checked out.
The structure of your ears
Your ears have three main parts:
- Outer ear: This includes the part you can see and the ear canals that funnel sound into your ear.
- Middle ear: This area contains tiny bones that help transmit sound waves to your inner ear.
- Inner ear: This part includes the cochlea, which helps convert sound into signals for your brain to interpret.
Your ears also have the eustachian tube, which helps regulate pressure and keeps fluid from building up in the middle ear. Keeping your ears healthy helps all these parts work together properly so you can hear clearly and stay balanced.
Common ear health problems
Ignoring ear care can lead to a variety of issues, including:
- Ear infections: Bacteria or viral infections can cause ear infections. They may lead to pain, fluid buildup and even hearing problems if left untreated.
- Excessive earwax: While earwax is normal and protective, too much can block the ear canals and cause temporary hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud noises: Noises from concerts, power tools or even headphones can damage your ears over time, leading to permanent hearing loss.
- Eustachian tube dysfunction: When this tube isn’t working properly, you may feel pressure in your ears or experience muffled hearing.
- Signs of hearing loss: If you often ask people to repeat themselves, struggle to hear in noisy environments or need the TV volume cranked up, you may be experiencing early signs of hearing loss.
Warning signs of hearing loss
Hearing loss often happens gradually, so you may not immediately notice it. Here are some common warning signs that your hearing may be declining:
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Struggling to follow conversations, especially in noisy places
- Feeling like people are mumbling or speaking too softly
- Turning up the TV or radio louder than others prefer
- Experiencing buzzing or ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- Having trouble hearing on the phone
- Avoiding social situations because it’s hard to hear conversations
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to schedule a hearing test to assess your ear health.
“Tinnitus is a sound you hear in your head that doesn’t have an external source, which means other people cannot hear it,” Dr. Heffernan explains. “It’s often a secondary reaction that occurs after the hearing loss takes place.
Dr. Heffernan adds that this condition is common. About 20 percent of people will experience problems with tinnitus.
How to protect your hearing
One of the most important reasons to protect your ears is to ensure you don’t suffer from hearing loss. While some cases allow for treatment and even reversal of hearing loss, that isn’t always true.
“One of the best ways to keep your ears healthy is by wearing ear protection when you are around loud noises,” he shares. “Ear protection is necessary if you fire firearms or attend a concert with loud music. Overall, limiting your ears’ exposure to loud noises is the ideal way to keep them healthy.”
Ways to prevent hearing loss and keep your ears in great shape include:
- Avoid loud noises: Sounds above 85 decibels can cause damage. If you’re near loud machinery or at a concert, wear ear protection.
- Use headphones wisely: Keep the volume reasonable and follow the 60/60 rule – no more than 60 percent volume for 60 minutes at a time.
- Clean your ears safely: Cotton swabs can push wax deeper into your ear canals. Instead, let your ears clean themselves naturally or use ear drops if needed.
- Treat infections promptly: If you suspect an ear infection, see a doctor to prevent further complications.
- Get regular hearing tests: A simple hearing test can catch problems early and help you take action before hearing loss becomes severe.
What not to do
While prolonged exposure to loud sounds is the most common way to damage the ear, many other missteps can lead to problems. For instance, you may think you’re proactive about ear health by cleaning them with cotton swabs. However, using objects like this to clean your ears can result in wax impaction by pushing the wax deeper into the ear canal.
“Q-tips should be limited to cleaning around the very external portion of the ear,” Dr. Heffernan shares. “Using a Q-tip at the opening of the ear canal is OK, but it is important to avoid placing them into the inner ear canal.”
Another popular trend you may have seen on social media is using wax candles to clean earwax buildup. However, Dr. Heffernan strongly advises against this method, pointing out that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved ear candles for medical use. In addition to burn risks, the candling process has been known to do more harm than good.
“The body makes wax for a reason,” Dr. Heffernan says. “It has antibacterial and anti-itch properties, and it also helps keep the inner ear dry, which helps prevent infections. So, some wax is a good thing.”
When to consider hearing aids
If you’re experiencing ongoing hearing difficulties, hearing aids may be a helpful solution. These small devices amplify sound, making it easier to hear conversations, enjoy music and stay engaged in daily life.
Many modern hearing aids are discreet and offer advanced technology to improve sound quality without being noticeable.
How we can help
If you’re experiencing hearing problems or just want to be proactive about your ear health, make an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist or audiologist. They can perform comprehensive hearing tests, treat ear infections and provide guidance on the best ways to protect your hearing. If you need hearing aids, they can help you find the right fit.
Learn about the ear, nose and throat services we offer at Bon Secours.
