Autumn Years Winter 2023/24

HEALTH & WELFARE

Caring for Your Ears in Six Simple Steps By Dr. Ann Marie Olson I am often asked the question, “What can I do to preserve my hearing?” This is an important inquiry to address, whether you currently have normal hearing or are be ginning to experience hearing loss. Below are six easy steps to take care of your ears. By implementing them into your routine, you can make a significant impact on your ear health and overall well-being.

dry. After swimming, gently towel dry your ears and tilt your head to one side to allow any water to drain out of the ear canal. Prolonged exposure to water can lead to swimmer’s ear, a condition that causes red ness, flakiness and sensitivity in the outer ear. This moist environment can promote bacterial growth, making it crucial to keep your ears dry. Schedule an annual hearing test If you haven’t done so already, make an ap pointment for an annual hearing test. Even if you don’t have any concerns about your hearing, having a baseline test is always beneficial. If you are already experiencing hearing loss, regular hearing tests, around once a year, are particularly important for monitoring purposes. By following these tips diligently, you will be well on your way to achieving better ear health and preserving your hearing for the long term. Remember, taking care of your ears is essential, whether you have normal hearing or hearing loss. deeply committed to helping individuals with hearing loss. In addition, she has served on the Hearing Loss Association of New Jersey’s Board of Trustees since 2008. Ann Marie received a Doctor of Science Degree in Audiology from Montclair State University. During her graduate studies, she held externships at various hospitals in the New York and New Jersey area, as well as presented research findings at international conferences on auditory processing in young, middle-aged and older adults. Ann Marie has also been an adjunct professor at Montclair State University. Ann Marie Olson has been helping individuals with hearing loss since 2001. As the founder of Sophisti cated Hearing Aids in 2005, she is

professional. After the appointment, you can follow these steps: • Twice daily, add baby oil, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide to the ear canal us ing an eyedropper to soften the wax. • After a day or two, use a rubber-bulb syringe or an earwax removal kit to irrigate the ear with body-temperature water. • Tilt your head to the side to drain the water. meaning they can damage the inner ear. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be a side effect of some medications. If you have concerns about the impact of your medications on your hearing, it is impor tant to discuss them with your physician or pharmacist. The cochlea, the hearing portion of the ear, is highly sensitive to oxygen and blood supply. Improving your cardiovascular sys tem can also benefit your hearing. Includ ing foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, spinach, walnuts or chia seeds, in your diet can help delay or prevent age related hearing loss. Keep your ears dry In the summer months, especially if you swim, it is important to keep your ears Evaluate your medications Certain medications can be ototoxic, Maintain an active lifestyle and balanced diet

Minimize exposure to loud sounds The best approach to protect your hearing from loud sounds is to avoid noisy activi ties whenever possible. However, if you cannot avoid loud sounds, it is crucial to wear hearing protection. Hearing protec tion devices help reduce the volume of sound reaching your ears, whether it is during special events like July 4th fire works celebrations or everday situations such as listening to music or using power tools or other motorized equipment. The most popular types of hearing protection devices are earplugs, earmuffs, and custom-made devices tailored to fit your ear. For example, insert-type ear plugs provide an airtight seal in your ear canal. They are affordable, effective, and easy to wear. Practice safe ear cleaning As the saying goes, “Do not put anything smaller than your elbow in your ears.” Therefore, caution is necessary when cleaning your ears. Q-tips can be danger ous for two reasons. First, they can push earwax deeper into the canal. Second, if your hand slips or the Q-tip is pushed, it may puncture your eardrum and result in hearing loss. Q-tips should only be used for the outer crevices of the ear. If you are experiencing excessive earwax, it is advisable to seek professional ear cleaning from a hearing healthcare

18 AUTUMN YEARS I WINTER 2023/24