Excessively loud noises, poor hygiene, injuries and ageing are all causes of ear and hearing damage. The most common cause is that people are not aware of how to protect their ears in order to maintain good hearing in old age.

 

Hygiene and protection from external factors are equally important for ear care. Ears should be washed daily. However, you should not push cotton buds into the ear canal, but only use them to remove excess earwax in the front area. The earwax that sits further inside the ear must remain there, as it forms a natural protection for the ear. It prevents the ingress of dirt particles that can damage the fine hairs and membranes of the ear.
The ears should always be dried thoroughly after a shower or bath. If the inside of the ear remains moist, it is more susceptible to infection due to draughts.

Loud noises should be avoided wherever possible. Hearing protection should always be worn when working with loud machines. Small earplugs can help against loud music in the disco, as they dampen the noise without taking away the pleasure of the music.

The ear is not only damaged when it literally rings from loud noises; even noise above the tolerance limit that does not cause discomfort can cause lasting damage to the hearing.

Other factors that can damage the ears without adequate protection are swimming, diving and flying in an aeroplane. When the aircraft takes off and lands, there are rapid changes in air pressure in the cabin, which can cause severe ear pain. As a preventative measure, you should have a sweet or chewing gum in your mouth, as sucking or chewing helps to keep the Eustachian tube (Eustachian tube) in the ear clear. If you have a severe cold, the sinuses should be cleared with medication.
Swimming and diving in dirty water should be avoided so that no dirt gets into the ear canal. Then dry your ears thoroughly. When deep-sea diving, you should swim up slowly, as rapid pressure differences can damage the eardrum.

Medication containing aminoglycosides can impair hearing if taken over a long period of time.

Viral infections such as mumps and malaria can also damage the hearing. The same applies to bacterial ear infections if they are not treated in time.

Head injuries can result in hearing damage. It is therefore important to always wear a helmet when cycling or riding a motorbike to prevent head injuries and to wear a seatbelt in a car.