Healthy decisions are not always straight forward. Usually, we’re able to overcome our hesitation by merely reminding ourselves, “this is good for me.” But is it possible that our health practices may actually harm our ears? It’s more likely than you’d believe.
Daily Health Habits
You care about the way you look to others when out and about. Combing your hair, brushing your teeth, and sometimes cleaning your ears is, for most, a daily practice.
It can be aggravating when a small trickle of earwax accumulates with time. In spite of earwax having numerous important uses in your ear, it does have to be extracted from time to time. There are some techniques of eliminating earwax which can be unsafe.
Cotton swabs can be damaging and should not be used at all. Cleaning out your earwax with a cotton swab can cause irreparable injury to your ears and hearing. Instead, see a hearing healthcare expert and ask for solutions. It’s easy and safe for them to remove the earwax for you.
Your Workout Practice
Part of looking good is feeling good, and what better way to do that than to stay in shape? The benefits of exercising are that it gets your blood flowing, clears your mind, helps you lose weight, and relaxes your muscles. The problem stems from improperly conducted workouts.
Physical fitness trends are moving toward high-impact workouts that test your stamina. Exercises intended to build muscle may actually strain your ears. Strenuous exercise can cause a build up of pressure in the ears. The result? Balance and hearing troubles.
That doesn’t mean that you should quit exercising. You just need to make certain you’re doing it right. When exercising try not to stress or hold in your breath. When your limit has been reached, quit.
Your Prospering Career
A prospering career can be stressful. While working hard to achieve career success is great, the high levels of strain can cause health concerns.
Many people don’t realize that besides causing impaired judgment, weight gain, and muscle pain, stress also can lead to hearing loss. Stress itself isn’t the issue; it’s that strain causes poor blood circulation. When you have poor blood flow the delicate hairs in your ears don’t get the blood flow and oxygen they need. These hairs don’t grow back. When they’re dead, they’re gone. Why do they matter? Those hairs are how your brain senses sound waves. Because without having them your brain has no way to receive sound waves.
But don’t imagine your job has to cost you your hearing. Blood flow can be increased when you use strategies to decrease stress. It is necessary to take time away from a stressful situation. If you have time, read or watch something humorous. Humor is a natural stress relief.
Enjoying the Arts
Exposing your mind to all forms of art is a healthy practice. However, there’s a difference for your ears whether you’re going to an art gallery or visiting the movies.
Going to the movies or attending a live music event is louder than you may suspect. While enjoying our favorite art form we we usually don’t worry about whether it is harming our hearing. The sad truth is, it very well may be.
The solution to this one is easy. If you’re planning to attend a potentially loud event, grab some ear protection. While you wouldn’t wear large earmuffs at an opera, you might use small discreet in-ear noise reduction devices instead.
Being prepared and informed is always the best defense. If you fear that participation in a high volume activity has already damaged your hearing, you should schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist. Only then will you know for sure.