Myth: To clean my ears, only cotton swabs, keys or fingers work

Truth: Do not put anything in the ear smaller than your elbow

Many people think that ears must be clean as our bodies to be healthy. While ears need to be kept clean, they actually clean themselves. How? The skin of the ear canal (Cerume) transmitted to and acts as guardian of the delicate eardrum. Many times, prodding, poking, or picking at this material pushes it back, causing blockage and potential temporary hearing loss – or even accidentally plug in the eardrum. In that case, serious injury to the hearing bones can lead to the need for urgent.

And if itchy ears are often incorrectly relieved using cotton swabs repeated scratching can cause thickening of the ear canal, much like a callous. This pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal

But some ear canal not remove the wax as they should -. They are too narrow, so the natural cleansing process can not do its job. In this case, ear wax accumulates. So how do you know if your ears are clean themselves properly?

If the ears are not clean, they can feel gummy and you may be tempted to grab that cotton swab or key. And if wax completely blocks your ear canal, you can experience hearing loss. But do not take matters into their own hands! Visit your ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor, who can safely remove wax build up.

But if you want to try to pull the wax at home, gently clean the outer part of your ear canal with a wet washcloth. If your ear still feels blocked, you should contact your doctor and Cerume removed.

The next best thing is to gently irrigate the ear canal with 3% hydrogen peroxide, using a small rubber ear syringe. Then dry the ear canal with a hair dryer set on medium heat; hot temperatures can cause temporary dizziness due to induction of balance canal

Myth :. If my ear hurts, I have infection

Truth: Pain is usually caused by something milder

One common cause of ear pain is inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ joint lies next to the ear canal. Because of this proximity, many of the same pain nerves are shared.

ear

swimmer’s (External Otitis) is another common cause of ear pain. It is the result of the ear canal becoming and staying wet. This warm, wet, and dark environment is the perfect place for bacteria and fungi to survive and multiply, causing infection.

Another cause of ear pain is otitis media, infection of the middle ear. This infection occurs after an upper respiratory infection reaches the middle ear, the Eustachian tube.

Neuropathic pain, inflammation of the nerves around the ear, can cause terrible pain that I feel like a plug-in or stabbing inside the ear.

So how do you know what is causing your ear pain?

TMJ is indicated if you press the jaw joint to open and close your mouth and the hurts or is tender. Ear infection swimmer may be your problem if gently pull the outer ear hurts.

otitis media and neuralgia are generally accompanied by sharp pain originating deeper in your ear. Otitis media is usually accompanied by pus draining your ear canal through a perforation of the eardrum.

By now you’re wondering, I can handle any of these problems thyself?

Although TMJ inflammation should be controlled by a dentist, you can temporarily relieve the discomfort by eating a soft diet; putting a warm heating pad in your jaw joint bid; or by taking anti-inflammatory drugs. But if the pain persists even after several days of treatment at home, you must contact a dentist specializing in TMJ pain.

ear swimmer can be avoided by filling the ear canal with rubbing alcohol after each swim. Let it place for a couple of minutes, then draining the alcohol and wipe the ears with a hairdryer set on medium heat. When ear infection is swimmer gets the urge to return when the ear gets wet. And it is still important to treat your ears with alcohol after each swim.

If the pain is important and comes from deep in your ear, you should seek treatment with ENT physician immediately. Using a special instrument, the doctor will clean the ear canal and prescribe antibiotics (either drops or oral medication) to prevent infection

Myth :. Popping my ears is dangerous

Truth: Dad ears is rarely dangerous

While you may have a problem with Eustachian tube phone – part of the ear that “pops” -. rarely act of popping the problem

So what are some of the problems you may encounter with your Eustachian tubes?

One is blocked Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear cavity of the throat, aerating the middle ear when you swallow and draining the mucous secretions of the middle ear to the throat. Often a cold or sinus infection will cause the Eustachian tube membranes to swell. When this happens Eustachian tube is not able to function, causing pressure and stuffiness in the head. Your

hearing may feel diminished, and fluid accumulation in the middle ear.

Another potential problem is abnormally open (patulous) Eustachian tube. This is an uncommon cause of ear stuffiness usually happens when someone loses weight. When the Eustachian tube is open and it can cause a feeling that your voice is loud or echo (autophony), like you’re inside the drum. It can also cause the sensation of hearing air “Whoosh” when you breathe in through your nose.

So how can you tell if you have locked or open Eustachian tubes?

Pinch the nostrils closed and blow hard against them. If you can not “pop” your ears, the Eustachian tube you probably blocked by inflammation of the mucous membranes. However, if you suddenly feel pressure relief you’ve probably just open the Eustachian tube and your average middle ear pressure with atmospheric pressure.

This maneuver can be performed many times throughout the day to relieve blocked Eustachian tube. There is no risk of damaging your ears with this technique, but if you feel dizzy you should see your ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor.

To detect open Eustachian tubes, sit down and pull out completely at the waist, put

head between your legs. If the pressure and stuffiness in your ear disappears you have open Eustachian tube. Lying flat in bed will relieve symptoms of open Eustachian tubes.

If popping ears, bending forward from a sitting position, or is not available, do not relieve ear pressure, the problem may be due to increased inner ear pressure and should be evaluated by an ear specialist.

If you have blocked Eustachian tube over-the-counter medications such as group nasal spray can help reduce membranes, relieve pressure in the ears. Flying a plane, scuba diving or

diving should be avoided if there is a blockage of the Eustachian tube, landing or falling in the water will result in severe pain in the ears. If you must fly, take Afrin® nasal spray (two sprays to each nostril) and 30 mg Sudafed® tablet one hour before descending. This will help open the Eustachian tubes, helping prevent ear pain. If symptoms persist, contact your ent.

Depending on the cause of open Eustachian tube, your ENT doctor may recommend several different treatments. Treatments for increased inner ear pressure include prescribing diuretics or office surgery to deliver steroids in the inner ear

Myth :. The noise will not hurt me because I’m young

Truth: Loud noises can damage hearing anyone, no matter their age

Damage to the ear may come from noise as guns fire near the ear, industrial music, lawn and construction equipment, and music played too loud – especially with headphones.

But how do you know if you hear any harm? If you experience ringing, stuffiness, or hearing loss after noise, damage to the delicate cells of the cochlea has probably occurred.

Unfortunately, most hearing is permanent, so the best treatment is prevention. Ear protection should be worn in any noisy situation

o loud work environment

o the power tools and noisy yard equipment

o during firearm use

o when riding a motorcycle

o when exposed to loud music at concerts

But hearing protection does not have to be bulky or ugly. Ear plugs today are almost invisible, and ear muffs can blend if worn in winter. Custom molded ear plugs are also available to ensure

optimal fit in the ear canal. In addition, some personal listening devices limits volume, prevent excess noise

The good news is that in some cases a short course of steroids may reverse acute hearing

Myth: .. There is no treatment for tinnitus; I just have to live with it

Truth: Many treatments can help tinnitus sufferers

Tinnitus is very common hearing-related complaints – up 50 million American adults have some degree of hearing disorder. Tinnitus place as a small hair cells in the cochlea die, causing noise or ringing in the ear.

Although this noise is not a serious problem, people experiencing it should be evaluated by ENT doctor because it may indicate a more serious medical problems. When you are evaluating for tinnitus, your doctor will perform specific tests to determine the cause and recommend treatment if needed.

So, what kind of treatments are available for those with tinnitus? As several options for treatment, including

o Masking tinnitus with external noise, such as music or television. If tinnitus accompanies hearing loss, a hearing aid can increase outside noise, reduce the intensity of tinnitus.

o Low-salt diet.

o electrical stimulation.

o Stress reduction.

o Bio feedback.

o Zinc, Ginkgo, garlic pills and supplements including high level of antioxidants.

o Brain retraining, where the therapist works with you to train your brain to hear the tinnitus

also know that tinnitus is not life-threatening problems can help you deal

Myth: .. My parents were deaf, so I am bound to go deaf, of

Truth: Heredity is a factor in the hearing, but not certain

Hearing loss is a combination of many factors : exposure to loud sounds, overall health, genetics and age. We are genetically our product family, and hearing loss is no exception. And as we age, the tiny hair cells in the cochlea adjacent middle ear begin to die, resulting in high-tone hearing loss. But no one factor plays a more influential role than others, so no one is “doomed to deafness.”

usually a gradual process, hearing loss may occur very suddenly – even overnight. If you notice a sudden you can not hear from one ear, it is a medical emergency. Set your phone to your ear; if you can not hear a dial tone, see ENT specialist as soon as possible. Hopefully it’s just ear wax blocking the ear canal, but you need to visit ENT to find out for sure.

Signs of gradual hearing loss are

o Need to turn the TV or radio turned up louder than other family members

o asking people to repeat themselves all the time

o your spouse says you do not listen to him or her

o sounds muffled or distant

o you have trouble hearing from cell phone

Although hearing loss is disappointing and inconvenient, it can be treated. Examination of ENT doctor is necessary to make a correct diagnosis. This usually involves hearing tests and other tests special ear.

Once the diagnosis is made, treatment can begin. Treatment for sudden deafness is done with steroids either orally or placed directly in the ear. In addition, the hearing device may be needed.

treatment for the more common, progressive hearing loss that can reduce symptoms and effects includes a four-part program of healthy life style changes, including

o At least 30 minutes a day to practice,

o Vitamin and mineral supplements,

o A healthy diet vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and lean meat, and

or Protection of noise

Myth :. There is no treatment to one ear

Truth: Two successful treatments for hearing loss in only one ear

There are two headphones that let you hear from a deaf earCROS and Baha.

Cros (Contra side routing of signals) or Bi-Cros is a hearing aid that uses microphones to pick up sound from the deaf ear and send it to the hearing ear. Therefore, Cros support allows audio to be heard from all directions, and even allow the phone to be used in the deaf ear.

Baha (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid), or bone stimulator, picks up sound from the deaf ear and sent it through the skull to the hearing ear. Minor surgery is required to implant a titanium screw behind the ear, to serve as an anchor for the external processor, which keeps the device. The results are excellent.