Get your ears examined by a physician at
least once a year. |
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The ear is normally a self-cleaning mechanism. Wax acts in a
protective manner, catching particles that may land in the ear. Fine hairs inside the ear
canal constantly move wax and sloughed skin out of the canal. Wax and skin can build up
inside the ear canal. If the canal is not clean, the eardrum can become completely
blocked, greatly reducing hearing and eventually cause permanent damage. |
If you have itching inside your ear canal, use an eye dropper to
place a few drops of baby oil in your canal once or twice a week to lubricate.
Visit your physician or hearing specialist regularly if you
frequently have fluid in your middle ear. Fluid normally drains from the ear via the
eustachian tube. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can: cause damage to the
small bones in the middle ear, cause extreme pain, and possibly rupture the eardrum.
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If pus flows from any part of your ear, you probably have some
kind of infection and should see a physician immediately. You can lose your hearing if you
allow the condition to continue.
Common symptoms associated with hearing impairment are ringing
sounds in the ears, a feeling of pressure in the ears, and dizziness. Call your doctor
your hearing health care professional to test your hearing if you experience these
symptoms, particularly if you've recently began taking a new medication or experienced
some kind of head trauma.
Common childhood diseases such as mumps, measles, scarlet fever,
whooping cough, or any high fever can leave permanent hearing impairment. Always have your
child's hearing tested if he/she has had any of these conditions in addition to regular
ear care.
Women who are exposed to measles, mumps, or any other viral
diseases during their pregnancies have a very high risk of giving birth to a baby with
serious hearing impairment. Have your baby's hearing tested if you have been exposed to
these conditions during your pregnancy, or even if you suspect hearing impairment.
Note: Your doctor or hearing specialist should remove your excess
wax. Do not try and remove ear wax with cotton swabs, hair pins, or other hard objects.
You can damage your ear canal or eardrum.
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