World Hearing Day 2024: 5 Expert Tips to Keep Your Ears Clean and Safe - NDTV

Avoid using headphones to remove wax.

World Hearing Day is celebrated on March 3rd every year. The goal of this day is to raise awareness about ways to prevent deafness and hearing loss. It also seeks to promote hearing and hearing care worldwide. Every year, WHO sets the theme for World Hearing Day and the theme for 2024 is "Changing mindsets: Make hearing care a reality for everyone!" "According to the WHO, this initiative aims to address the challenges posed by Overcoming societal misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets through awareness raising and information sharing aimed at the public and healthcare providers.

Ear cleaning is an important part of ear care. However, if done improperly, unwanted injuries can occur. To help you keep your ears clean and safe, we have some tips from Dr. Vijay Verma, Consultant, Allergist and ENT Specialist at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.

Tips to keep your ears clean and safe

1. Avoid using headphones: Earwax often comes out on its own. It's important to resist the temptation to clean your ears with headphones or other foreign objects. The delicate eardrum and lining of the ear canal can be damaged if something is inserted into the ear canal.

2. Be careful when showering: Do not let water get into your ears when showering. A humid environment caused by water retention can create the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to grow. If necessary, use earplugs or tilt your head to drain the water immediately.

3. Seek professional help: It is important to consult an ENT doctor immediately if you experience strange symptoms such as malaise, rapid hearing changes, or heaviness in the ear. These symptoms could indicate underlying problems such as weakened nerves or an infection.

4. Practice gentle cleaning: It is best to discuss safe and effective ear cleaning techniques with an otolaryngologist to detect excessive earwax buildup. However, it is best to have the wax safely removed by a professional.

5. Minimize Headphone Use: Headphones can push earwax deeper into the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection and potentially leading to hearing loss.

Remember that any unusual symptoms or pain may require immediate medical attention. So don't ignore these symptoms.

Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical advice. For more information, always consult a specialist or your own doctor. NDTV assumes no responsibility for this information.

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