Are You Unknowingly Harming Your Ears?

Every day we expose all parts of our bodies to different environments, and there are some parts that require a little more attention when it comes to keeping them safe. While most of the body can handle the majority of the things you put it through, when it comes to ears and eyes – they have a hard time. Your ears are very fragile and are not only at risk to foreign objects but to noises that are too loud. If you’re not careful, you could harm your ears, and that’s not always something you can go back on down the line.

Dangers to be aware of

There are many things that pose a threat to your ears; though that’s not to say you should be afraid, but you should still be careful. Some things might cause your ears to swell, some might damage your eardrum, and some might cause gradual hearing loss. It’s important to know what the dangers are so you can avoid them.

Firstly, while you might not expect it, water can pose a threat to your ears. It’s not uncommon to get water in your ears, but the problem comes when the water gets stuck there. If your ears are blocked, and you end up getting water trapped in your ears as a result – you might experience an infection. Ear infections can cause both temporary and permanent hearing loss depending on how serious it is.

Putting physical objects in your ear. Whether you’re trying to fish out any earwax that you feel is blocking your hearing, or something manages to get into your ear – it can easily cause damage to your eardrum. It’s always best to avoid inserting things into your ear, as it’s so easy to damage the eardrum, and it would be best to leave it to a professional.

A lack of hearing protection. If you’re constantly exposing yourself to loud noises, then there’s a chance you’re damaging your hearing. Even if you can’t tell at the moment, frequent exposure to loud noises can cause gradual hearing loss.

When to wear protection

Hearing protection is important in a number of professions and environments and can save you from experiencing hearing loss later on in life. You don’t have to wear it at all times, but there are definitely moments that call for you to wear hearing protection appropriately. For example, many people who work in construction or manufacturing will often be around loud machines and tools. This is where you should be wearing ear protection. While you might feel like you’re getting used to it, your ears aren’t.

Sometimes people will wear hearing protection when they sleep, things like earplugs can help to block out a lot of noises that would usually disturb you during the night. Those same earplugs can work as a way of blocking out loud noises. Of course, some might not be effective enough to protect your ears if you’re working with the loud machinery directly.