Practices that damage the health of the ear

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Extract from the article: Good hearing allows us to take full advantage of social interaction, music and the sounds of nature, and to stay connected to our environment. Unfortunately, many people suffer from hearing loss, which is often avoidable, due to risky behaviour and

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Good hearing allows us to take full advantage of social interaction, music and the sounds of nature, and to stay connected to our environment.  Unfortunately, many people suffer from hearing loss, which is often avoidable, due to risky behaviour and a lack of prevention.

Practices that are harmful to ear health can have serious consequences, ranging from hearing loss to chronic infections. Here are some common practices that can damage hearing health.

Prolonged exposure to loud noise

Sounds that are too loud, whether sudden or prolonged, can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, which are responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain. Noisy environments, such as concerts, construction sites or factories, present a high risk of sound trauma.  According to the Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS/France), exposure to loud noise can cause deafness in pregnant women. This represents a danger to the hearing of the foetus, which is particularly sensitive to low frequencies during the last three months of pregnancy.

Excessive use of headphones or earphones

The use of headphones at excessive volume, particularly in offices, on public transport or during sporting activities, can also cause irreversible damage. According to a meta-analysis entitled ‘Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults’ published in the journal BMJ Global Health, one of the most serious effects of excessive use of headphones or earphones is hearing loss. This can cause tinnitus, a buzzing or whistling sensation in the ears.

Using cotton buds

Many people use cotton buds to clean their ears.This can actually push earwax deeper into the ear canal and cause wax plugs, infections or irritation. These are the findings of the study ‘Pediatric Cotton-Tip Applicator-Related Ear Injury Treated in United States Emergency Departments, 1990-2010’ published in the Journal of Pediatrics. What's more, excessive cleaning can damage the delicate skin of the ear canal. It is preferable to clean the outside of the ear with a damp cloth.

Getting water in your ears

Showering or swimming can cause water to accumulate in the ear. The water flows into the ear and the auditory canal, but does not come out and stagnates in front of the eardrum.

The eardrum can no longer vibrate freely, causing a thud. If the water does stop flowing, it softens the mucous membrane of the ear canal. The pathogens in the water can then attack and cause painful otitis media or inflammation of the ear canal. After bathing or showering, dry your ears thoroughly after exposure to water.

Using objects to clean the ears

Inserting foreign objects into the ear, such as hairpins, pencils, small pieces of metal or wooden sticks, can cause injuries in the ear canal. These objects can pierce the skin of the ear and cause infections or lesions.

Ignoring ear infections

Infections of the upper respiratory tract, such as colds or sinusitis, can cause swelling of the eustachian tubes, blocking the ear. Allergies can also cause inflammation of the tubes. Finally, other conditions such as ear infections or congenital malformations can cause this problem. Failure to consult a doctor in the event of ear pain or infection can lead to serious complications, such as the spread of infection to other parts of the inner ear or even to the brain in extreme cases.

Smoking

Smoking can increase the risk of ear infections.It reduces the capacity of the airways and impairs blood circulation, which affects the health of the middle and inner ear. Smoking also irritates the mucous membrane of the upper airways, which communicate with the middle ear via the Eustachian tube. These are the findings of the study ‘Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and the Risk of Hearing Loss’ by Japanese researchers, published in ‘Nicotine & tobacco’.

Consult an ENT doctor if in doubt or if you experience symptoms such as ringing in the ears, reduced hearing or difficulty understanding speech.

Jean ELI & Esther KOLANI