Understanding Ear Health on National Ear Care Day

Author: Unknown Reviewer: Unknown Curator: Unknown Production/Organizational Information: Unknown Title: Understanding Ear Health on National Ear Care Day Introduction: On National Ear Care Day, we stress ear health linked to daily habits, urging care tips to prevent ear diseases.

March 3rd is National Ear Day. We often overlook this important organ, and when it becomes ill, it can take away our ability to hear, affecting our quality of life and safety.

Many people mistakenly believe that if the ears don’t hurt and there’s no pus, they are healthy. However, frequent ear cleaning and prolonged use of earphones can lead to ear diseases. This informative guide will help you understand the distress signals of your ears and learn how to care for them scientifically.

First, let's understand: how fragile are our ears, really?

The ear is divided into the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, with a delicate and intricate structure. Damage to any part of it can lead to hearing loss. The hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear are responsible for perceiving sound, and once damaged, they cannot regenerate. This is the key factor in the irreversibility of hearing loss.

These common behaviors are quietly harmful to your ears.

Misconception 1: When your ears are itchy, you dig in them, and the more you dig, the more reassured you feel.

Earwax acts as a natural barrier for the ears, preventing foreign objects from entering and protecting the ear canal. Frequent ear cleaning can damage the ear canal, leading to inflammation, and may also result in earwax blockage. Additionally, if ear-cleaning tools harbor fungi, they can trigger fungal external ear canal infections.

The correct approach is: there is no need for frequent cleaning; if excess earwax affects your hearing, please seek medical attention from a professional doctor.

Myth 2: Turning the headphone volume all the way up makes listening more enjoyable.

Long-term exposure to high volumes and prolonged use of headphones are major causes of hearing loss among young people. Noise levels above 85 decibels can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, and increasing the volume in noisy environments exacerbates this harm.

The correct approach is to prioritize using noise-cancelling headphones in a noisy environment.

Myth 3: It’s normal for elderly people to experience hearing loss, so it doesn’t need attention.

Age-related hearing loss should not be overlooked; a decline in hearing can lead to social difficulties, emotional anxiety, and increased safety risks for the elderly. Individuals with severe hearing impairment are at a five to six times higher risk for cognitive decline compared to the general population.

Proper approach: If an elderly person's hearing is abnormal, take them for a hearing assessment promptly, and if necessary, provide them with hearing aids.

Myth 4: If a child has a cold and earache, just bear with it.

Children have shorter and straighter Eustachian tubes, which makes it easy for pathogens to flow back and cause otitis media after a cold. If not treated promptly, this can affect hearing and language development.

The correct approach: If a child has a cold accompanied by ear pain, seek medical attention promptly. When feeding, avoid laying them flat.

Guide to Ear Protection Throughout Life: A Learning Resource for Everyone.

Hearing health requires lifelong protection. By following these five points, you can stay away from ear diseases.

Science suggests that you should keep away from high-noise environments. When using headphones, follow the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

Proper care: Avoid frequent ear digging or cleaning, allow water to naturally drain from the ear, and do not dig deeply.

Use medication with caution: Avoid the misuse of ototoxic drugs and consult a doctor before taking medication.

Regular check-ups: High-risk groups should have their hearing checked annually, while the elderly and children should undergo regular screenings.

Healthy living: a balanced diet, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, nourishing the inner ear blood vessels.