Do not use earphones to remove wax
World Hearings Day is celebrated on March 3 every year. The day aims to raise awareness about hearing loss and how to prevent it. We also strive to promote ear and hearing care around the world. Every year, WHO chooses a theme for World Hearing Day, and the theme for 2024 is “Shifting Mindsets: Making Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All!'' WHO said the initiative will focus on overcoming challenges posed by societal misconceptions and prejudice through awareness-raising and information sharing among the public and health care providers.
Ear cleaning is an important part of ear care. However, if not done correctly, it can lead to unwanted injuries. To keep your ears clean and safe, here are some tips from Dr. Vijay Verma, Consultant Allergy and ENT at his CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
Tips to keep your ears clean and safe
1. Avoid using earphones: Earwax often comes out on its own. It's important to resist the urge to clean your ears with earphones or other foreign objects. The fragile eardrum and inner wall of the ear canal can be damaged if something is inserted into the ear canal.
2. Be careful in the shower: Avoid getting water in your ears when taking a shower. The moist environment caused by water retention can provide the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to grow. Use earplugs if necessary or tilt your head to drain the water immediately.
3. Seek professional help: If you experience strange symptoms such as discomfort, sudden changes in your hearing, or heaviness in your ears, it is important to seek professional help from an ENT specialist right away. These symptoms may indicate an underlying problem, such as a nervous breakdown or infection.
4. Practice careful cleaning: If you have excess earwax buildup, it's best to talk to your ear, nose and throat doctor about safe and effective ear cleaning techniques. However, safely removing wax is best left to professionals.
5. Minimize earphone use: Earphones can push earwax deep into the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection and potentially leading to hearing loss.
Remember that if you have unusual symptoms or pain, you may need to see a doctor right away. Therefore, do not ignore these symptoms.
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV is not responsible for this information.
