When it comes to your hearing, you have to be very careful. Hearing is one of the top senses that help people in many ways – including work, social, family and other ways. Hearing issues can impact several aspects of your life, from day-to-day interactions to your job.

Why ear hygiene is important

Hearing impairment issues – sometimes – can be prevented by following simple tips when cleaning your ears. Good ear hygiene can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your auditory system in optimal shape. Your ear hygiene is important for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

A big problem to ears could be excessive production of earwax. While humans produce earwax to help keep our auditory systems clean, when too much is produced this can become problematic for hearing health.  

What about earwax?

Earwax is relatively harmless in most cases. If you are feeling stuffy in the ear, have tinnitus, itching in the ear, discharge from the ears or experience pain; this could mean that impacted wax needs professional care.

Most people believe that using the basic cotton swab is helpful in keeping your ear cleaned. That is not true. Medical research has led doctors to believe that cotton swabs could be a leading cause of earwax impaction or a perforated eardrum. A growing trend has been using ear candling. It has been shown that the practice doesn’t always help in the removal of earwax.

As many realize, earwax can be a protective mechanism that helps trap foreign matter, and fight off infections. Earwax removal drops could help soften and break up hard wax that can be flushed with water.

When to talk to a professional

It is advised though to see a hearing care provider when dealing with frequent earwax buildup. A hearing specialist will be able to not only clean your ears, but can provide an examination to get to the bottom of why you may be having frequent blockages.

As always before attempting in procedure at home, contact a professional – a pharmacist or physician or a physician’s assistant or registered nurse. Do remember though, that the advice of your doctor is always best. The doctor can offer you the credentialed knowledge you need to get healthy and stay healthy.