If you have questions, ask. Your audiologist is always happy and ready to educate.
Ear Cleaning
When testing as patient, they often express concern about their ears being full of wax. The truth is most people’s ears are pretty clear. Skin in your ear canal actually moves outward to clear out excess earwax. And a certain amount of earwax is actually necessary for healthy ears! It helps to maintain skin moisture and can even deter bugs. However, it is true that some people produced more wax than others, which can potentially occlude the ear canal and affect hearing. In these instances, some extra effort can be needed.
If someone is concerned about excess earwax, we recommended putting a couple of drops of mineral oil in the ear twice a month. There is no need to rinse out the ears. Simply insert the oil into the ears and let it soak into the wax. This helps the wax to soften, ensuring it can flow out properly. While you can purchase brands such as Debrox, any mineral oil will suffice. Patients who follow this regimen typically see their issues with buildup subside.
Of course, any discussion of ear cleaning must address that most controversial of topics: Q-tips. Most people have grown up using Q-tips, then been warned to avoid them as adults. So, are Q-tips dangerous? It’s possible. Inserting them too deeply can cause contact with the bony portion of the ear canal, which would cause great discomfort. It also runs the risk of harming the eardrum, which is only 0.1 mm thick. The real issue, though, is that Q-tips are not all that effective in cleaning your ears. A small portion of the wax may be removed, but most will remain. It also runs the risk of unintentionally pushing the wax deeper into the canal. The best option is to let your ears clean themselves or use mineral oil. Of course, your audiologist is also always ready to help clean your ears if needed.
Loud Music
When we consider forms of hazardous noise, things like guns and power tools are typically what come to mind. And these definitely pose a risk. But there are plenty of other daily activities that can be harmful to ear health as well. One such activity is listening to loud music. This applies even if you are not at a concert.
Today, almost everyone has a smartphone or some other form of portable music player. Thus, a significant part of each day is spent listening to music while traveling or working. This isn’t inherently dangerous, but it can be if caution isn’t taken. Take, for example, AirPods. AirPods have the ability to produce sound in excess of 100 dB. According to OSHA regulations, exposure to 100 dB can cause damage in as little as two hours. Even 95 dB of exposure is only permitted for four hours. So, if somebody likes to crank their music, damage could be occurring over time without them noticing. (To be clear, this information would apply to all types of headphones, not just AirPods.)
So, how can one enjoy their music while also promoting safety? Limit the volume or duration of exposure to the sound. A good rule of thumb is that if someone standing a few feet away can hear your music, it is too loud. Luckily, most devices allow you to set a volume limit. For example, you could set your phone to not go beyond 75% of its output capability. Then you would know that even if you turned the volume up, it would not be straying into dangerous territory. You could also make yourself take breaks from the headphones ever few hours to provide your ears an opportunity to rest. In essence: be mindful.
To be clear, there are many other factors that play into ear health and safety. If you have questions, ask. Your audiologist is always happy and ready to educate. QCBN
By Jeff Lane, Au.D.
Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing.net. Jeff Lane is a doctor of audiology with a passion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.
