Ear Care

Cleaning your ears

Clean your ears with care
Wipe the outer ear with a washcloth or tissue
Do not put anything into your ear smaller than your elbow
Do not use cotton buds, bobby pins or sharp pointed objects to clean your ears – these objects may injure the ear canal or eardrum
Earwax is the ear’s mechanism for self cleaning – if you have a build-up of wax that is blocking your hearing, see your doctor to have it removed
If you experience itching or pain in your ears, consult with your doctor to determine the appropriate treatment
If you have pierced ears, clean your earrings and earlobes regularly with rubbing alcohol

Reduce the risk of ear infections by treating upper respiratory infections promptly
Some illnesses and medical conditions can affect your hearing – if you experience sudden hearing loss or persistent noise in your ears or head, see your doctor
Drainage from the ear is not normal and should be evaluated promptly
Some medications can affect hearing – take medications only as directed, and consult your physician if you experience unusual hearing, balance symptoms, or ringing in the ears

At home or work, wear hearing protection during exposure to loud levels of noise
This includes mowing the lawn, leaf blowing or using power tools
By law, a noisy work environment will require the use of hearing protection
When using stereos and home theater systems, avoid excessive volume – if you think it is too loud, it probably is
When using personal sound systems, the volume should be comfortable – if someone else can hear what you are listening to, the volume is too high – remove the headphones from time to time to give your ears a rest
Wear earplugs at rock concerts, nightclubs and motor sporting events
Keep automobile sound systems at sensible volumes – this can help you avoid hearing damage and allow you to hear and yield to emergency vehicles

Always wear a helmet when you bike, ski, and roller blade or in any other activity that puts you at risk for head and ear injuries
If you scuba dive, learn and practice proper underwater techniques to avoid potentially damaging changes in pressure inside your ears
When flying in an airplane, chew gum or yawn frequently when the plane is ascending and descending to equalise pressure in your ears
If you have an upper respiratory problem such as a cold or sinus infection, take a decongestant a few hours before take-off and landing

Have your ears checked regularly by your local doctor and your hearing checked regularly by an audiologist
When outdoors in sunny weather, remember to use a sunscreen on your ears
If you notice unusual bumps or scaly areas on the exterior ear, consult your doctor immediately

Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise
Frequently asking others to repeat what they have just said
Misunderstanding what other people say and answering inappropriately
Difficulty hearing on the telephone
Requiring the television or radio volume to be louder than others in the room prefer
Feeling that people are mumbling or have marbles in their mouth when they talk
Difficulty hearing environmental sounds, such as birds chirping
Agreeing, nodding your head, or smiling during conversations when you are not sure what has been said
Withdrawing from conversations and social situations because it is too difficult to hear
Reading lips so you can try to follow what people are saying
Straining to hear or keep up with conversations
Noise within your ears or head called tinnitus not caused by an external sound source

See your ear nose and throat doctor immediately if you injure your ears, experience ear pain, or notice changes in your ears or hearing