Invisible hearing devices? See our list of hidden hearing aids!
The ability to hear is one of the most beautiful functions of our human bodies. As our hearing plays a significant role in our daily productivity, safety, and even maintaining balance, it is just right for us to take care of it in the best way we can.
The question now is, what is the proper way of caring for our ears? Continue reading to the end of this post as we try to answer the frequently asked questions pertaining to ear cleaning.
Q: Should you clean your ears?
A: Before we answer the ‘how’ and ‘how often’ questions, let’s get this one straight first. Ideally, you should not clean your ears. Yes, you heard that right. There’s no need for us to clean our inner ears. Why so? Because our ears have its natural way of cleaning it out of earwax. However, if it feels full and you think you’re suffering from an earwax buildup, this is when something needs to be done.
Q: What is the best way to clean your ears?
A: Contrary to popular belief, sticking cotton swabs inside your ears is not the answer. Ear candling doesn’t work either. If there’s anything, these popular cleaning options may even do more harm than good to your ears. Using cotton swabs or other pointy tools to pick your earwax may just push it further inside your ears while ear candling may cause unfortunate accidents such as burning.
The best way to care for your ears is by cleaning the outer parts of it only. For this, we recommend using a soft cotton swab or a warm and damp washcloth to wipe the area. If needed, you can also try putting a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, or glycerin in your ear to soften the wax inside. After waiting for a certain amount of time, these solutions will be drained or rinsed out of the ears. Just make sure to read carefully and follow the instructions stated on the box of these over-the-counter eardrops.
However, if you feel stuffed in your ear and you suspect that you have an earwax buildup, the best thing to do is to pay a visit to your trusted ear cleaning service provider. Leave this to the ear experts who have special devices to look inside your ear canals and remove the impacted earwax.
Q: How much does it cost to get your ears professionally cleaned?
A: The price varies. Our advice is to make sure that you have it done by a general practitioner (GP) or an ENT specialist in a hospital or specialised clinic like Listening Lab.
Q: How often should you clean your ears?
A: For people who produce just the normal amount of earwax, the most you’ll need to do is gently wipe the areas of your outer ear. Let your ears naturally clean itself of earwax.
For people who produce too much earwax, it’s best to schedule a consultation with a doctor to talk about how often you should have your ears cleaned professionally to avoid crossing to a point of impaction and hearing loss.
Q: Is it safe to put hydrogen peroxide in your ears?
A: While hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient in most eardrops, it’s always best to consult with your doctor first before using it for your ears. If it turns out that your suffering from a different problem other than earwax buildup, treating it with hydrogen peroxide may possibly make it worse.
Did you find this information helpful? For more informative pieces of content about hearing care, head over for a browse at our blog section. You can also book an appointment with Listening Lab if you are looking for an assisted ear cleaning service.
