The Ear

Health Tip - Week February 21-25, 2011




Can you Hear Me?   

Many people can not hear simple sounds and every day noises and are too embarrass to seek help. 

The Ear

The Ear is the organ of hearing and equilibrium in the vertebrates, in humans consisting of an external ear that gathers sound vibrations.

         

Cleansing the Ear:   Clean your Ears regularly to prevent infections or hearing loss due to an excessive wax buildup.

The Ear canal  can quickly fill up and you may feel the circulation and drainage.

Excessive wax may block the Ear canal and keep you from hearing.



Clean the Ear:

• Outer portion (connected between the scalp and ear)
• Outer canals (small folds that can trap dirt)
• Inner ear (very delicate area)

              

An interesting fact is our Ears don't need frequent cleaning to remove ear wax; in fact, ear wax is an important part of your body's system for keeping dirt bacteria and other things from causing hearing problems.

The Ear canals are self-cleaning, that is there is a slow and orderly migration of Ear canal skin from the Ear drum to the outer opening.

Old Ear wax is constantly being transported from the deeper areas of the Ear canal.

When cleaning your Ears do not use the following:

• Car keys
• Paper clips
• Tooth picks
• Barbie pins
• Pen tops
• Back end of a safety pin

Do not use cotton swabs for deep cleaning because it can push the excess ear wax deep into the Ear.

Use for safe cleaning of the Ear:

• Special over-the-counter Ear wax cleanser, this will soften the  hardened wax and emulsify the excess buildup
• Small hand towel
• Pre-moisture cloths
• Cotton swabs (outside of the canal only)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Warm water

For more information go to http://www.webmd.com/

Ask yourself the question can you Hear Me? If you are having problems hearing voices, simple sounds, whispers, please see your physician immediately. 

Live well
Doc V