Today we will learn how to take care of the ears. I was supposed to write this blog last month (or before that, I don’t even remember now) and now I am finally writing this. I got the idea of this blog randomly. As I wanted to write something new for my How-to series.
I really think ears are neglected a lot. Of course, we listen through them, so we can’t ignore the sound. But, we also mistreat our ears. That mistreatment can cause infection, loss of hearing or deafness.
So, I have decided to share some easy-to-follow things, that can give your ears some extra life.
Let’s have a look at these things:
1. Protect from water and do some gentle cleaning
Ears must be protected from water. Whether, you are bathing or swimming, avoid water going into your ears at all costs. When I was a child, I used to have a major issue with water going into my ears. I was so young that I was unable to understand what was causing an earache. This problem bothered me for a very long time. With time, I learned my lesson.
Water when not removed can cause infection or worse. Those people who find it hard to avoid water going into their ears can use earplugs. This inexpensive thing can protect your ears from unwanted water. It’s especially good for children and the elderly.
The best way to clean your ears after a bath/shower is to gently rub your ears with a dry cotton cloth. Don’t rub it too hard, just a gentle rub.
You can get earplugs from here > https://amzn.to/3UhT6Xe
2. Avoid high volume
Another important tip is to avoid high volume. Our ears are not made for repetitive higher volumes. High volumes could cause Tinnitus, Sensitivity (normal sound may feel louder) or even permanent hearing loss. Sound below 80 dB is considered safe.
No matter what companies like LBL, Pony or Nose tell you, there’s no headphone or speaker available in the market that can protect your ear or your hearing. So, you need to protect your ear from any loud noise. I am not telling you to stop listening to the music on headphones, but make sure the volume is not high, and avoid it for an extended period.
If you feel ringing in your ears or any kind of discomfort, visit a doctor immediately.
Here are various noise levels produced by different sources:
3. Food that’s good for ears
There are certain nutrients/vitamins/electrolytes that are good for the ears.
These are:
Magnesium protects the nerves in the ears. Some sources are dark chocolate, almonds, figs, spinach, flax seeds, peanuts, avocados etc.
Potassium balances the hearing of the ears, which reduces as we age. Some sources are bananas, potatoes, oranges, raisins, apricot, kidney beans etc.
Zinc increases immunity and protects from bacteria. Some sources are garlic, curd, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds etc.
Folate (vitamin B9) increases blood circulation in the ears. Some good sources are tomatoes, peas, turnips, spinach etc.
Another great vitamin for ear nerves is Vitamin B12. You can naturally get Vitamin B12 from fish, eggs, meat, milk, and curd. For vegans nutritional yeast, fortified cereals etc.
Omega-3 protects from hearing loss. Some sources include flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, soybean etc.
4. Ear wax is good
Believe it or not ear wax is actually good for ears. People often try to clean it with buds. But ear wax protects our ears from dust, bacteria and small objects. Yes, we do need to clean our ears when we find difficulty in hearing. But that should be done by a doctor. Don’t try to clean your ears with buds or pencil or car keys.
You may also find many ear drops in the market. But use them only after a doctor’s suggestion.
5. Avoid stress
Stress is not good for you and definitely not good for your ears. High levels of stress can put pressure on your nerves, blood flow and body heat. These can trigger ringing in the ear. Reduced blood flow in the ear can also cause hearing loss or deafness.
You can also do some ear massages, but do them under an expert’s supervision.
Here are some ways by which you can tackle stress. It’s a guest blog that I’ve written for my favourite blogger: WAYS THAT CAN HELP YOU MANAGE STRESS
Some additional things to remember:
It is advisable to consult a doctor before trying to treat yourself at home.
FGW
That’s it for this blog. Drop comments if you have learnt something new today. Even if you didn’t learn anything new with this blog Just, drop a Hi, and we can discuss how I can make my blog better.
Until next time take care of your ears & don’t forget to smile.
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