Cuidado de los oídos: 3 consejos del Hospital de Zhengzhou

Title: Ear Care: 3 Tips from Zhengzhou Hospital Profile: The Minsheng Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital emphasizes the importance of auditory health and disease prevention. Keywords: ['Hearing Protection', 'Hearing Day', 'Auditory Health'] Author: Zhengzhou Hospital of Ear, Nose, and Throat Reviewer: Not specified Commissioner: Not specified Production Information/Organization: Minsheng Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital.

March 3, 2026 is the 27th National Love for Ears Day. This year's theme is 'Love for Science Nationwide, Let's Together Care for Auditory Health.' The goal of this festival is to raise awareness about auditory health. The ears are an important organ for perceiving the world, not only allowing us to hear wonderful sounds but also helping us maintain balance and coordination. Therefore, protecting ear health is fundamental.

To take good care of our ears, we first need to understand a bit about them. The human ear consists of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear, each with specific structures and functions. 1. Outer Ear: Includes the auricle and ear canal. The auricle captures sound waves and directs them to the ear canal, which leads to the eardrum. 2. Middle Ear: Located behind the eardrum, it contains three small bones called ossicles (hammer, anvil, and stirrup). These bones amplify and transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the oval window of the inner ear. Additionally, the middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx via the Eustachian tube, which helps balance air pressure. 3. Inner Ear: Contains the cochlea and the vestibular system. The cochlea converts sound vibrations into electrical impulses sent to the brain via the auditory nerve. The vestibular system, which includes the semicircular canals, is responsible for balance and spatial orientation.

The ear not only is essential for hearing but also plays a crucial role in balance and spatial perception. Hearing loss is not simply 'being unable to hear.' It refers to a general term that describes qualitative or functional impairment of the auditory conduction pathways, resulting in varying degrees of hearing loss. Depending on the cause and location of the issue, the most common forms of hearing loss can be classified as conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, presbycusis, noise-induced hearing loss, drug-induced hearing loss, among others.

Once hearing loss becomes permanent and irreversible damage, it is often difficult to recover from it. Therefore, it is extremely important to recognize, prevent, intervene, and rehabilitate it in a timely manner. Sudden deafness refers to a neurosensory hearing loss that occurs abruptly, usually within 72 hours, with an unknown cause. Many patients suddenly wake up and realize they cannot hear well, feeling a sense of blockage in the ear, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness, and nausea.

Sudden hearing loss has a strict 'golden 72-hour treatment window.' During this period, timely and proper treatment has a high probability of restoring hearing; however, if delayed, it is very likely to result in permanent hearing loss, leaving long-term sequelae such as tinnitus and a decrease in hearing.

Common triggers for sudden hearing loss include lack of sleep, exhaustion, intense mental stress, severe emotional fluctuations, viral infections, and noise exposure. When experiencing symptoms such as sudden hearing loss, persistent tinnitus, a sensation of fullness in the ears, or dizziness, it's crucial to see an otolaryngologist immediately. Do not postpone the consultation as it equates to a race against time to preserve hearing.

Please avoid these behaviors. Long-term exposure to noise environments above 85 decibels (such as karaoke venues, construction sites, loud commercial areas) without any protection can lead to chronic, irreversible hearing damage. The abuse of aminoglycoside antibiotics and other ototoxic medications (such as gentamicin and streptomycin) can directly damage the auditory hair cells, and this damage is irreversible.

Prolonged consumption of tobacco, excessive alcohol, sleepless nights, and extreme stress can affect blood circulation and nerve function in the ear, increasing the risk of hearing loss. Using sharp objects to clean ears, allowing dirty water to enter the ear, or forcefully blowing the nose on both sides can also cause middle ear infections or dermatitis of the external auditory canal, resulting in indirect hearing damage.

Keep these points in mind. Headphone use should follow the World Health Organization's '60-60-60' principle: the volume should not exceed 60% of the maximum volume, continuous use should not exceed 60 minutes, and it should be avoided when ambient noise exceeds 60 decibels. Minors should be especially cautious to reduce usage duration.

Do not share personal items: avoid sharing earphones or earplugs with others to prevent cross-infections that may cause inflammation in the ear canal.

Proper ear cleaning: when cleaning the ears, only the outer part should be cleaned, avoiding inserting objects into the ear canal to prevent damage to the eardrum.

Stay away from noisy environments: try to keep away from loud environments, and if unavoidable, use protectors such as earplugs to reduce noise.

Pay attention to physical protection: prevent dirty water from entering the ears while swimming or showering; maintain a safe distance when launching fireworks and protect your ears in time to avoid eardrum damage from sudden pressure changes.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle: keep regular routines, a balanced diet, stable emotions, avoid tobacco and alcohol, and care for the ear's microcirculation.

Seek medical attention in a timely manner: once tinnitus, ear pain, a feeling of pressure in the ear, or hearing loss appear, consult a doctor for an examination, thus ensuring early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Scientific adjustment of hearing aids: for individuals already experiencing hearing loss that affects their normal communication, they should not resist or postpone the decision. It is recommended to have a scientific adjustment of hearing aids as soon as possible, as it is one of the most effective ways to protect residual hearing and delay auditory degradation.

The combination of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine aids in rehabilitation. For common hearing problems such as tinnitus, hearing loss, and sudden deafness, Zhengzhou Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital uses the 'Comprehensive Auditory Restoration Therapy Dongshi 8+1.' This therapy combines traditional Chinese and Western medicine, incorporates multiple technologies, and offers personalized treatment based on differential diagnosis, providing patients with a systematic and normative rehabilitation plan.

This therapy integrates nine key technologies: multi-layer combination of Western and traditional medicine, acupuncture point therapy of traditional Chinese medicine, medication penetration therapy at acupuncture points, Chinese herbal inhalation therapy, 'One Needle for Listening' therapy, PT physical stimulation therapy, medication injections in the tympanic cavity, Canadian tinnitus masking therapy, and hearing aid-assisted therapy. All of this aims to improve, from the root, the microcirculation in the ear, repair damaged auditory neurons, systematically elevate hearing, and alleviate tinnitus, thus helping numerous patients improve their symptoms and return to a normal life.

Loving and caring for our ears should not only be done on Love for Ears Day but should be a daily practice.

Health is the best New Year's gift. Let’s promote together the idea of caring for our ears scientifically, staying away from auditory injuries. Let us listen attentively to every beautiful sound in the world and embrace a colorful and healthy life.