Saturday, 07 January 2017 02:33

Listen carefully! Cleaning away earwax could actually damage your hearing, experts claim

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Researchers have updated guidelines around ear health and argued that manually removing earwax can be counter-productive 

Dr Seth Schwartz, chair of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, says the  process can inadvertently produce MORE wax, or cerumen

Additional risks include cutting the ear canal, making a hole in the eardrum, or dislocate delicate hearing bones, leading to hearing loss, dizziness and ringing

It's often considered to be a sign of good cleanliness. 

But manually removing earwax could actually damage a person's hearing, according to new guidelines by experts in the US.

Researchers at the American Academy of Otolaryngology noted in their updated guidelines on Tuesday that inserting foreign instruments into the ear canal, such as cotton buds, can cause a variety of hearing issues and actually increase cerumen production.

In addition, manually cleaning the ears also increases the chances of piercing the eardrum, dislocating delicate bones and causing infection.

Furthermore, there's an added danger of impaction, which blocks the ear canal and can lead to pain, itching, feeling of fullness, ringing or tinnitus, hearing loss or a discharge or an unpleasant odour.

Dr Seth Schwartz, chair of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, said: “Patients often think that they are preventing earwax from building up by cleaning out their ears with cotton swabs, paper clips, ear candles, or any number of unimaginable things that people put in their ears. 

“The problem is that this effort to eliminate earwax is only creating further issues because the earwax is just getting pushed down and impacted further into the ear canal.

“Anything that fits in the ear could cause serious harm to the ear drum and canal with the potential for temporary or even permanent damage.”

He also asserted that, contrary to popular belief, the ear is self-cleaning. 

“There is an inclination for people to want to clean their ears because they believe earwax is an indication of uncleanliness. This misinformation leads to unsafe ear health habits.”

He added earwax or cerumen was a normal substance the body produces to clean, protect and ‘oil’ ears. It acts as a self-cleaning agent to keep ears healthy by trapping dirt, dust, and other small matter to the sticky earwax which keeps them from getting farther into the ear.

There is an inclination for people to want to clean their ears because they believe earwax is an indication of uncleanliness. This misinformation leads to unsafe ear health habits.  Dr Seth Schwartz

Chewing, jaw motion, and growing skin in the ear canal help to move old earwax from inside the ears to the ear opening where it then flakes off or is washed off during bathing. 

And this normal process of making wax and pushing the old wax out is continual.

It's only occasionally that this cleaning process breaks down, creating a build-up of wax which collect and blocks the ear canal. This affects one in 10 children, one in 20 adults, and more than one-third of geriatrics. 

It should be treated by a medical practitioner with irrigation, syringing or the application of wax-softening agents known as cerumenolytics, such as Sodium Bicarbonate ear drops BP, olive oil, distilled water and acetone.

 

Mailonline 

 

March 26, 2025

Pepper prices surge 225%, tomato jumps 114%

The cost of agricultural produce has seen dramatic price increases in March, with pepper experiencing…
March 26, 2025

Afenifere condemns emergency rule in Rivers, announces burial plans for late leader Ayo Adebanjo

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency…
March 27, 2025

Beyond skills: How strong character defines great leaders

Rodger Dean Duncan It’s been said that character is what we do when we think…
March 23, 2025

Mr Macaroni declines donations amid N500m debt revelation

Popular comedian and activist, Mr Macaroni, has clarified that he is not seeking financial assistance…
March 24, 2025

Bandits ambush, kill 10 security personnel in Zamfara

Tragedy struck in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State as six operatives of the…
March 27, 2025

Here’s the latest as Israel-Hamas war enters Day 538

Hundreds stage Gaza protest against Hamas after conflict resumes Hundreds of Palestinians have protested in…
March 26, 2025

How long does automatic transmission fluid last and when should you change it?

Everybody makes a big deal about regular engine oil changes, and with good reason. Just…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.