The Ear Care cheat sheet

Hearing loss is on the rise, and in many cases, the damage is preventable. Here’s a simple guide for looking after your ears – inside and out!



Cleaning them: We’ve probably all heard it a million times, but NEVER, we repeat NEVER stick a cotton bud inside your ear canal to try and remove wax. If you do need to clean your ear, use a damp towel over your finger to gently wipe the entrance to your ear, or use a couple of drops of ear wax remover, which is easily available from a chemist. Alternatively, if you have a wax build up that needs serious attention, visit your doctor who can clean them for you. It takes a few minutes.



Listening to music: Loud music through headphones or speakers can damage your hearing. Bars and clubs with loud music and noises above 90 decibels are safe for up to 30 minutes. After this, your hearing is at risk, so make sure you give yourself a break. If you frequently use an mp3 player with headphones, invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones so you don’t find yourself cranking up the volume on noisy trains and buses. You should also set a volume limit on your mp3 player, and give yourself a break from your headphones every hour or so.



Sporting: If you take part in martial arts or contact sports, make sure to wear the appropriate headgear and ear guards to avoid dangerous and damaging blows to your outer ears. If you swim, dry your ears and shake out excess water thoroughly to avoid infections and swimmer’s ear. If you already have an ear implant, make sure you speak to your doctor or health care professional about how to clean it and take care of it properly while swimming or playing sports.



General health: Don’t smoke, eat well and exercise are general good-health tips that will also benefit your ears. Also, if you have a respiratory infection, be sure to get it treated early as infections in the nose and throat can quickly spread to your ears. Don’t ignore ear aches and visit your doctor regularly for check-ups.



Taking steps to protect your hearing from an early age will help preserve your hearing in the future, and ensure that you enjoy a full range of sound and enjoyment for as long as you can, without having to consider measures such as a bone conduction hearing aid later in life.