Although many factors can damage our hearing system, its degeneration and the possible diseases it may suffer from depend mainly on genetics and age. The biggest problems occur mainly “in children, with repeated ear infections or adenoids, and in adults or the elderly due to presbycusis,” explains to elDiario.es the otolaryngologist Luis Lassaletta, president of the Otology Commission of the University. Head and Neck Surgery.
But in addition to these sometimes unavoidable factors, there are many other daily acts in our daily lives that damage our hearing system, such as continuous exposure to noise or poor hygiene habits. These bad practices, explain Ainhoa Escalonilla and Irene Moreno, speech therapists at Clínica Áurea, “are above all the reason for the lack of awareness about hearing problems, thus contributing to the deterioration of hearing over time.”
Abuse of earphones, headphones and earplugs
According to GAES data, one in five teenagers suffers from hearing loss as a result of listening to music that is too loud. This is sometimes due to excessive use of headphones and earphones for prolonged periods and at high intensities: “To avoid this, we generally recommend the 60-60 rule: do not use these devices for more than 60 minutes a day at more than 60% of their maximum volume,” says Lassaletta.
For example, in the case of devices with an in-ear placement system, the team of speech therapists at Clínica Áurea states that “they can increase the risk of ear infections if they are not cleaned properly or if they are shared with other people.”
Regarding sleep plugs, the ENT points out that “the most important factor is the material they are made of, as some silicones or similar materials can break down and release fragments into the ear, the improper removal of which can cause serious problems.”
All three experts agree that it is best to have them custom-made, because “if the earplugs do not fit well in size and shape to the ear or if they are used for a long time without cleaning or changing them, they can cause irritation, inflammation or infection,” explain the speech therapists.
Do not put objects in the ear
No tweezers, no fork, no other tool: if there is one thing that Lassaletta emphasizes, it is that “nothing should be inserted into the ear.” If something needs to be extracted, it is necessary to go to a specialist immediately, “because if the extraction is complicated, it can have disastrous consequences for the ear: lacerations, injuries, bleeding and even perforations of the eardrum.”
This recommendation also includes swabs: “They should not be used because they can cause irritation and displacement of earwax into the inner ear canal,” speech-language pathologists explain. Additionally, as the National College of Opticians and Optometrists website notes, citing a survey conducted by Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, many emergency room visits are the result of injuries caused by the use of cotton swabs.
Insufficient hygiene
As the otolaryngologist explains, “we should only clean the ears in cases of problems or difficult anatomy and always with the advice of a professional, otherwise it is not necessary to carry out specific hygiene.”
In any case, as speech therapists point out, one can choose to “clean only the outside, with the water that falls when taking a shower or by passing a gauze over the ear or simply by wiping it with a towel, always without pressing or insisting too much on the ear.” ear hole and, above all, without inserting the towel or any other object into it.
Not taking precautions in summer if necessary
It is in summer that “we must pay a little more attention to our hearing system in the case of children, if we have a narrow ear canal that tends not to come out in the water or if our ears have been operated on. In these cases, we must prevent the entry of water using earplugs,” explains the ENT specialist.
Furthermore, as the two speech therapists explain, “sudden changes in pressure can also cause serious damage, which is why gradual immersions are necessary.”
Finally, it should be noted that it is not normal to feel pain, burning or hearing problems after swimming, so in these cases it will be necessary to consult a professional.
Noise pollution: no to excessive noise
The World Health Organization has addressed this universal problem on several occasions, implementing standards to combat the increase in hearing loss due to noise pollution. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause a series of pathologies and hearing health problems: “From hearing loss due to noise exposure to tinnitus, among others,” note the speech therapists at Clínica Áurea.
There are two aspects that associate loud and constant noises, shouting and loud music, both in the context of work and leisure, with health problems.
On the one hand, “they are directly related to hearing loss, but they also cause difficulty falling asleep, thus linking these aspects to insomnia and, in extreme cases, also to psychological problems,” explains the otolaryngologist.
Bad consumption habits
Although the ENT claims that noise is the main problem for our hearing health, he also points out that, although with a minor impact, “there are other bad habits such as poor diet or the consumption of tobacco or alcohol that can deteriorate hearing.”
For example, as speech therapists explain, “eating foods high in saturated fats, salt and refined sugars can affect hearing; “Products such as tea, chocolate, cocoa and all their derivatives, energy drinks and cola soft drinks produce excitement and can cause underlying problems that lead to this intermittent and annoying ringing in the ear.”
Experts therefore recommend drinking enough water to maintain good hydration, as dehydration can affect hearing function. On the other hand, “alcohol consumption – continue speech therapists – can damage the hair cells of the inner ear, so that sounds are not sent to the brain, causing hearing loss.”
