7 Care Tips to Maintain the Health of Seniors' Ears

by Kim Davies May 4, 2022

Hearing loss is unfortunately a common health issue amongst people all over the world. It is also more prevalent among the elderly. Hearing loss is not an inescapable component of aging, contrary to popular belief. Thankfully, there are various steps your elderly loved one can do to protect their hearing and ear health.

Read on to discover these seven care tips to maintain the health of seniors’ ears.

Use of Cotton Swabs Correctly

To clean the outer region of the ear, cotton swabs with narrow ends are utilized. Never use cotton swabs or other thin things to clean the inner ear. It can harm the inner ear and push dirt and wax further behind, causing compaction. If your loved one's itchy ears persist, he or she should see a hearing care specialist for an ear cleaning.

Mind the Wax

Wax protects our ears from dirt, dust, and bacteria. Wipe the outer ear with a washcloth or tissue on a regular basis. Never use cotton swabs or other sharp instruments to clean the ear canal or eardrum. Excessive earwax can cause discomfort, itching, partial hearing loss, and infection in certain people. If you have any of these symptoms, see your NP or doctor and have your ears examined with an otoscope. They'll get rid of the wax in minutes, leaving you clean and symptom-free.

Resist Extreme Loudness

Extremely loud noises are one of the most common causes of hearing loss, especially when prolonged exposure occurs. Never use headphones or speakers with the volume turned all the way up. Earplugs should be worn by your loved one when the noise level is severe.

Treat Hearing Impairments

A sudden loss of hearing could be an indication of a more serious condition. Hearing loss is related to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. If your loved one has severe hearing loss, he or she should see a doctor at once.

Prioritize Routine Ear Exams

Routine ear examinations are crucial for maintaining the health of the ears of the elderly. Ear infections are rarely accompanied by acute pain and fever. Balance issues and an increase in falls could be signs of an undiagnosed inner ear infection. Regular ear exams allow experts to discover and treat ear health issues before they compromise hearing abilities.

Seek Medical Help

Ear infections can cause a wide range of issues in our ear canals. Bacteria can cause deafness by spreading and rupturing the eardrum or eroding the bone structure of the middle ear. If you suffer itching, earache, redness, yellow discharge, or burning, see your doctor or nurse practitioner. This is especially crucial if hearing loss runs in your family.

Chew that Gum

Bring some chewing gum or hard candy with you on the plane to help you swallow. This helps to relieve pressure during takeoff and landing. Gently inflate your cheeks with a closed nose for a few seconds.

Conclusion

The great thing about ear care is that the steps and recommendations are fairly simple to follow. In crafting an ear care routine, maintaining optimal ear health is achievable. So take care of your ears and your loved one’s ears so that we can all live a higher quality of life!

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