Thanks to your ears, you can engage in conversation, enjoy your favorite tunes, and keep your balance. Although they’re home to the smallest bones in your body, they have a big impact on daily life. To protect yourself from premature hearing loss, follow these ear care tips in your daily life.

What’s the Right Way to Clean Your Ears?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to use cotton swabs. Your ears are self-cleaning organs. Additionally, earwax protects your ear by moisturizing the inside skin, trapping dirt and dust, absorbing dead skin cells, and preventing bacteria from entering the ear canal. Using cotton swabs will increase your chances of infection or— if ear wax is pushed in the ear canal— experiencing uncomfortable pressure and weakened hearing.

To clean your ears safely, wash your outer ear in the shower or with a warm washcloth. If you feel you have a buildup of earwax, you can buy over the counter ear drops that will loosen it. 

How Can You Prevent Hearing Loss & Infection?

According to one study, 24% of American adults between the ages of 20 and 69 have noise-induced hearing loss. If you find yourself in a loud situation—  at a concert or any place where you have to raise your voice to engage in conversation—  wearing earplugs will reduce the volume of sound that reaches your ears.

When you’re on a sunny vacation, don’t forget about your ears. If you go swimming, dry them thoroughly and, if you feel water inside, tilt your head to get it out. Otherwise, moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and attack your ear canal, causing temporary discomfort or permanent hearing loss.

Listen to the hearing health care providers at Heartland Better Hearing Inc in Elizabethtown, KY. They help customers find the hearing solutions they need to improve their quality of life. Their knowledgeable professionals offer a range of products for those with hearing loss, including phones, door beacons, alarm clocks, and TV ears. In addition to selling top quality brands, they clean and repair any instrument they sell. Call (270) 735-9352 or visit their website to learn more about their products.