9 tips for protecting and caring for your hearing
TIPS FOR GOOD LISTENING
Hearing is one of the most important sensory organs and is in use around the clock. The fine hair cells, once destroyed, do not grow back. To preserve hearing (and the quality of life associated with it), it is important to give the ears attention and care.
It is important to bear in mind that our body already takes good care of itself. Excessive cleaning, for example with cotton buds, is prohibited, because in the worst case it can lead to irreparable damage. Especially since cotton buds usually only push the secretion deeper into the ear instead of removing it effectively.
1.
Lukewarm water, soap and a nourishing cream are sufficient for cleaning and care. In summer, a high sun protection factor is recommended. This is because the ears are particularly sensitive to the sun's rays.
2.
The ear canal does not need any additional cleaning. When we talk about cleaning the ears, we actually always mean removing earwax. However, earwax serves as a natural protective shield for our ears and performs several important functions: It keeps the ear canal moist and repels bacteria. In addition, earwax protects against foreign bodies such as dust and dirt particles. If you have the feeling that it is clogged, leave the cleaning to your trusted ENT specialist.
3.
The same applies to objects in children's ears. Accidentally stuck objects should only be removed by an ENT specialist to avoid more serious injuries.
4.
Water in the ear canal is unpleasant after a bath or shower. No question about it. By tilting your head, moving and/or slightly pulling the auricle, you can ensure that the water drains out of the ear.
5.
Music makes the soul dance, gets the blood pumping and the heart beating. But whether through amplifiers and speakers or headphones: not so loud! Avoid noise in any form. Pay special attention to noise exposure of your children.
6.
If noise is to be expected, for example during handicraft or gardening work, use hearing protection. There are intelligent hearing protectors that suppress noise while warning signals, music and radio instructions still remain audible through special technology.
7.
Sometimes we notice some pressure on the ears and the ear feels "blocked". For example, when we travel by train through a tunnel or take off and land by plane. The eardrum bulges uncomfortably due to the overpressure or underpressure in the ear. The eustachian tube is then responsible for equalising the pressure in the ear. Chewing gum is a good tip for equalising the pressure in the ears. But opening your mouth wide and moving your jaw until you hear a soft cracking sound in your ear or deliberately yawning can often be enough to equalise the pressure. If the feeling of pressure in the ear occurs without external influences, an infection is usually the cause. In this case, consult an ENT specialist.
8.
Have annual check-ups by an ENT specialist. Especially if you are exposed to increased noise for occupational reasons, for example.
9.
Your local hearing care professional offers free hearing tests, which should also be carried out once a year. They serve the purpose of timely diagnosis and, if necessary, the provision of hearing systems.