cómo cuidar tus oídos y prevenir enfermedades auditivas en el Día Nacional de la Salud Auditiva

Title: How to Care for Your Ears and Prevent Hearing Diseases on National Hearing Health Day. In National Hearing Health Day, the fragility of the ear and the importance of good habits to protect it are emphasized. Author: Unknown. Reviewer: Unknown. Commissioner: Unknown. Organization: Unknown.

March 3rd is National Hearing Day. We often overlook this important organ, which, once "sick," can deprive us of the sense of hearing, affecting our quality of life and safety.

Many people mistakenly believe that "if it doesn't hurt and there's no discharge from the ear, it's healthy," but everyday actions like frequently cleaning the ears or using headphones for long periods can lead to ear diseases. This guide will help you understand the "cry for help" from your ears and learn how to take care of them scientifically.

First, let's understand: how "fragile" are our ears really?

The ear is divided into the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear; its structure is delicate and fragile, and any damage to any of its parts can lead to hearing loss. The hair cells in the cochlea in the inner ear are responsible for perceiving sound, and once damaged, they cannot regenerate, which is key to the irreversibility of hearing loss.

These common behaviors are quietly "harming" your ears.

Mistake 1: If you feel itchy in your ears, scratching feels increasingly comforting.

Earwax (cerumen) is the ear's "natural barrier," which can block foreign bodies and protect the ear canal. Frequent ear cleaning can damage the ear canal, lead to inflammation, and could also result in a wax blockage. Using tools to clean your ears that contain fungi can also induce fungal otitis externa.

The correct approach is: it is not necessary to clean frequently. If earwax buildup affects hearing, consult a professional doctor for treatment.

Mistake 2: Keeping headphones at "maximum volume" means the louder, the better.

Prolonged use of headphones at high volume is one of the main causes of hearing loss in young people. Sounds above 85 decibels can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, and increasing the volume in a noisy environment exacerbates this damage.

The correct approach: in a noisy environment, it is preferable to use noise-canceling headphones.

Mistake 3: Hearing loss in the elderly is "normal" and does not need attention.

Age-related hearing loss should not be ignored, as decreased hearing can create social difficulties and emotional anxiety in older adults, in addition to increasing safety risks. Individuals with severe hearing loss are at a 5 to 6 times greater risk of cognitive decline than the general population.

Correct approach: If an elderly person is detected with hearing problems, it is important to take them for an audiological examination on time and, if necessary, to use a hearing aid.

Mistake 4: If a child has a cold and has ear pain, it is better to wait it out.

Eustachian tubes in children are short and straight, making it easier for pathogens to reflux and cause middle ear infections after a cold. If not treated in time, it can affect hearing and language development.

Correct practice: If a child has a cold accompanied by ear pain, it is necessary to see a doctor immediately. Feeding the child milk or water, avoiding lying flat.

Ear care guide throughout the life cycle that everyone can learn.

Hearing health should be protected for life. Follow these 5 points to stay away from ear diseases:

Ear science: Stay away from noisy environments; headphones should follow the "60/60 principle."

Proper care: do not frequently dig in the ears nor undergo wax removal; after getting wet, let the water drain naturally, avoiding deep digging.

Prudent use of medications: avoid the abuse of ototoxic medications and consult a doctor before using them.

Regular check-ups: high-risk individuals should have an annual hearing examination, and seniors and children should undergo regular testing.

Healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption, nourishing the blood vessels of the inner ear.