FitSugar

Fireworks and Your Delicate Ears

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:31:20 -0700

I'm ready to celebrate the Fourth of July, but must admit I am not a fan of the noise that accompanies fireworks - lovely as they may be. Those booming sounds can really damage the delicate structures in your ears; once they're damaged, they never regenerate and can't be repaired. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The loss is permanent and may cause impaired hearing or total loss of hearing down the road.

NIHL can be caused by one exposure to a loud noise such as an explosion, or by regular exposure over an extended period of time. If you continuously experience sounds over 85 decibels (dB) then a hearing aid may be in your future. Check out how some common sounds compare:

Rustling leaves: 10 dB
A whisper: 20 dB
Humming of a fridge: 40 dB
A conversation: 60 dB
Busy street traffic: 70 dB
Vacuum cleaner: 80 dB
Lawn mower: 90 dB
A large orchestra: 98 dB

To see how fireworks measure up read more.

Fireworks for spectators 800 feet away: 88 to 126 dB
Fireworks for spectators 10 feet away: 155 dB
Front row of a rock concert: 110 dB
Military jet takeoff: 140 dB
Motorcycles, firecrackers, small firearms: 120 to 150 dB

So when it comes to ear safety, it's best to enjoy a fireworks display from far away. If you're serious about preventing ear damage, pick up some foam or silicone earplugs. They sell them at most drug stores for less than $5. I know they're not exactly the most fashionable things to sport, but I'd rather wear these for 20 minutes than hearing aids for the rest of my life.

Love Fireworks? Invest in Earplugs

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Fourth of July means fireworks! I don't want to rain on your parade (since the Fourth is often celebrated with parades, too), but the loud pops and bangs of fireworks can cause serious hearing damage.

When the delicate structures in your ear called hair cells - sensory cells located in your inner ears responsible for converting sound energy into electrical signals - are damaged, they never regenerate and cannot be repaired. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The loss is permanent and may cause impaired hearing or total loss of hearing down the road.

NIHL can be cause by one exposure to a loud noise such as an explosion, or by regular exposure over an extended period of time. If you continuously experience sounds over 85 decibels then a hearing aid may be in your future. Check out how some common sounds compare:

Rustling leaves: 10 dB
A whisper: 20 dB
Humming of a fridge: 40 dB
A conversation: 60 dB
Busy street traffic: 70 dB
Vacuum cleaner: 80 dB
Lawn mower: 90 dB
A large orchestra: 98 dB

To see how fireworks compare read more.

So when it comes to ears safety, watching a public display from afar is your best bet. If you're serious about preventing ear damage, pick up some foam or silicone ear plugs. They sell them at most drug stores for less than $5. I know they're not exactly the most fashionable thing to sport, but I'd rather wear these for 20 minutes than lose my sense of hearing forever.

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Enjoy Fireworks - Save Your Ears

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I'm sure most of you are planning on catching a public fireworks show this 4th of July. Watching them can be really exciting, but did you know you can risk noise-induced hearing loss?

Here's how loud some common summer sounds are:

Having a conversation: 60 decibels
Mowing the lawn: 95
Riding a motorcycle: 110
Listening to a live concert: 120
Exploding your own firecrackers (which is NOT safe by the way): 150
Watching fireworks: 130 to 190, depending on how far away you are

10 seconds of a loud fireworks display may be just as dangerous for your ears as an hour of pushing the lawn mower. Some ears are more susceptible to damage than others, but once noise-induced hearing loss has occurred, it's permanent.

Did you know that noise-induced damage is the reason so many people have to wear hearing aids? You can prevent this pain and damage by wearing a pair of inexpensive ear plugs.

What should you do if you think you've suffered ear damage from noise? To find out read more

If your ears are ringing or there is a muffled sensation in your ears after seeing some fireworks, try to rest your ears and stay away from loud noises. Stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol, caffeine and cigarette smoke, which might decrease the flow of blood to the small blood vessels in your inner ear.

If you're still not hearing well after a few days, or your ears feel weird or are in pain, see an audiologist or doctor right away. Unfortunately permanent damage is irreversible, so if I were you, I'd wear those ear plugs! If you can't find earplugs, make some ear plugs with paper napkins, facial tissue or toilet paper - every little bit of muffling the noise helps.

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Carbamide peroxide (Into the ear)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:08:55 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Carbamide Peroxide (KAR-ba-mide per-OX-ide)

Used to soften, loosen, and remove excess wax from your ears.

Brand Name(s)

Debrox, Ear Wax Drops, Auro Ear Drops, Rite Aid Earwax Removal Kit, Otix Ear Wax Removal Aid, Ear Drops, Audiologist's Choice, E-R-O, Medicine Shoppe Ear Wax Removal System, Auraphene-B, E-R-O Ear Drops, Oxy-Otic, Mack's Wax Away, Mollifene

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to carbamide peroxide. You should not use this medicine if you have a punctured eardrum, or discharge from your ear. You should not use this medicine if you have had an ear surgery, or if you have pain, irritation, or rash in your ear.

How to Use This Medicine

Liquid, Drop

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
Remove your hearing aid while using this medicine.
Use this medicine only in your ear.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
You may warm the drops by holding the unopened bottle in your hands for a few minutes.
Remove the cap. Do not let the tip of the dropper touch anything, including your ear.
Lie down or tilt your head to the side. For a child, gently pull the child's earlobe down and back to straighten the child's ear canal. For an adult, gently pull the earlobe up and back to straighten the ear canal.
Drop the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes or put a cotton ball into your ear.
You may hear a bubbling noise in your ear after placing the drop in it. This is normal and is not something to worry about.
Do not rinse the dropper.
After using this medicine 4 days, gently flush your ear with warm water, using a soft bulb syringe to remove the wax.

If a dose is missed:

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Keep the bottle closed when you are not using it. Store it at room temperature, away from light and heat. Do not freeze.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

You should not use other ear medicines while using this medicine, unless your doctor tells you to.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If the medicine does get in your eyes, flush them with water and call your doctor right away.
This medicine should not be given to children under 12 years of age without a doctor's approval.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Do not use this medicine for longer than 4 days.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_5250

Is it an Ear Infection? Find Out With EarCheck

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:00:00 -0700

If you have young kids, you already know ear infections are a part of childhood. Children are susceptible to them because when they're sick, kids have a hard time getting the mucus out of their body. They're just beginning to learn the vital skill of blowing their nose. The mucus ends up draining into their ears, causing severely painful infections.

You can make many a trip to your pediatrician to have your kid's ears examined. Wouldn't it be great if you could check your children's ears at home without a doctor?

The EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor might be just the gadget you need. For $49.95, you can check your own child's ear to see if they have an infection. Just like the one at the doctor's office, this one uses sound waves to detect if there is fluid in the middle ear.

Checking your child's ear is quick and painless - if you can get them to hold still (I always find that element a problem). The EarCheck Monitor has an easy to read display and with the information you can decide if a doctor's visit is necessary.

Now that the weather is warming up, we'll be heading swimming. This monitor can also check for Swimmer's Ear. So it could be handy to have one on hand so you can spend more time enjoying the weather outside, and less time sitting in a doctor's office.

Prevent Swimmer's Ear

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Your ears are pretty remarkable. Their unique design helps to tip water out of your ear canal, so you can usually bathe, shower, swim, and even walk in the rain with no problems. The ear canal is also acidic which prevents against bacterial and fungal infections.

However, if your ear is exposed to excess moisture (like if you're swimming a lot), the water can stay trapped in your ear canal. This skin can then get soggy and break down, diluting the acidity and allowing bacteria or fungi to penetrate through the skin, causing an infection called swimmer's ear.

The weird thing is that you don't have to swim to get swimmer's ear. Anything that causes a break in the skin of your ear canal will cause this infection - that's why cleaning your ear with a cotton swab is NOT recommended - if you damage the skin, you could risk getting swimmer's ear.

What are the symptoms? PAIN! The ear may also feel itchy or full. The outer ear may turn red or get swollen, and the lymph nodes around the ear may become enlarged and tender. There may be discharge - clear at first, but then turn cloudy, yellowish, and pus-like. Hearing, understandably, is affected as well.

Fun stuff, huh? So what do you do if you have swimmer's ear? To find out, read more

If your infection is severe, your doctor will prescribe drops that contain antibiotics for 7-10 days to fight the infection, and steroids to reduce swelling. Oral meds like ibuprofen or aspirin may also be suggested to help reduce the pain.

Fit's Tips: To prevent this painful infection during the summer, as soon as you're done swimming, shake your head to one side and then the other to get excess water out of your ear. OTC drops that contain a dilute solution of acetic acid or alcohol can also help dry up your ear canal. If you or your child is prone to swimmer's ear, wearing ear plugs may also be a good option.

Source

A Simple Solution For Swimmer's Ear

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0700

It seems that even simple Summer fun comes with risks, and if you're cooling off in the pool this season, you're at risk for swimmer's ear. When your ear is exposed to excess moisture, whether from swimming or bathing, water can become trapped in your ear canal.

The delicate skin inside your ear can then become soggy and begin to break down. When this happens, water dilutes the acidity of the ear canal, allowing bacteria or fungi to penetrate the skin, causing a painful infection. And according to otolaryngologist Dr. Barbara Schultz, it can happen to anyone. Fortunately, swimmer's ear is easy to prevent.

Learn how to make your own preventive ear drops when you read more.

The infection that causes pain, tenderness, ringing, and itchiness in your ear is often treated with antibiotics, but you can take an inexpensive preventive measure. Schultz recommends putting drops in your ears at the end of your day in the water to restore the healthy pH balance of your ear canal. There are over-the-counter ear drops, costing around $3, or you can make your own simple solution. Mix equal parts white vinegar with rubbing alcohol to use as drops. Don't be tempted to stick a Q-tip in your ear to remove the water, as that can irritate and puncture the skin lining your ear canal and set the stage for an infection.

Otic agents (Into the ear)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:09:38 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Treats or prevents ear problems. Treats some ear infections.

Brand Name(s)

Ciprodex, Floxin, Cipro Hc, Zolene HC, Cortane-B, Floxin Otic Singles, Oticaine, Cortisporin-TC, Pramotic, Cortic-ND, Debrox, Earache Relief, Rite Aid Ear Drops, Earsol-Hc, Zinotic

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients. If you are not sure what the ingredients are, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Some ear drops should not be used if you have a hole, tear, or tubes in your eardrum. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions.

How to Use This Medicine

Liquid

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Use this medicine only in your ear. Do not swallow the medicine, and do not put it in your eyes.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to clean out and dry your outer ear canal using a special sterile cotton applicator before using the ear drops.
You may warm the drops by holding the unopened bottle in your hands for a few minutes.
Remove the cap. Do not let the tip of the dropper touch anything, including your ear.
Lie down or tilt your head to the side. For a child, gently pull the child's earlobe down and back to straighten the child's ear canal. For an adult, gently pull the earlobe up and back to straighten the ear canal.
Drop the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes or put a cotton ball into your ear.
You may be able to use a special cotton wick soaked with the medicine in your ear instead of putting the drops directly into your ear. If you need to use a wick, your doctor or health caregiver will tell you how to use it, and how long to keep it in your ear.
Do not rinse the dropper.
Some ear drops should not be used for longer than 10 days. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long you should use this medicine.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Keep the bottle closed when you are not using it. Store it at room temperature, away from light and heat. Do not freeze.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have asthma.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Severe pain or burning feeling when you put the drops in your ear.
Skin rash or redness, or dry, flaky skin.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_5303

Into Swimming? Avoid Swimmer's Ear

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If Michael Phelps and Dara Torres have inspired you to hit the pool, let me warn you about an unwanted side effect of spending lots of time in the water - swimmer's ear. When your ear is exposed to excess moisture, (whether you're swimming or bathing), water can stay trapped in your ear canal. Then the skin inside your ear can become soggy and begin to break down. When this happens, water dilutes the acidity of the ear canal allowing bacteria or fungi to penetrate the skin, causing a painful swimmer's ear infection. Actually, you don't even have to be near water in order to contract swimmer's ear since anything that causes a break in the skin of your ear canal can lead to this infection. That's why cleaning your ear with a cotton swab (or sticking anything else in your ear for that matter) is not recommended. Once there's damage to the skin, you're at risk for an infection.

To find out how you can prevent swimmer's ear read more.

Swimmer's ear can cause pain, tenderness, ringing, and itchiness in your ear, so you want to avoid it at all costs. As soon as you're finished with a swim or shower, shake your head to one side and then the other to get excess water out of your ear. Over the counter drops that contain a dilute solution of acetic acid or alcohol can also help dry up your ear canal. Wearing ear plugs while swimming is also a good way to prevent water from entering your ear in the first place. Of course, whether you swim or not, you also want to stop cleaning your ear with cotton swabs.

Source

Here's a Tip: Ditch the Q-Tips

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:00:00 -0800

The package of Q-tips plainly reads, "Do not insert swab into ear canal. Entering the ear canal could cause injury." Yet despite warnings written directly on the package as well as from doctors, a lot of people are still using cotton swabs - yup, I'm talking about you. In the future you may want to be careful or ditch them altogether, since Q-tips can severely damage your ear canal if pushed in too far. What's more? Along with potentially rupturing the membrane, the swab is likely to push wax deeper into the ear canal rather than removing it - even if a little shows up on the cotton.

Need more evidence? Daniel St-Pierre, 43. Coroner Jacques Ramsay found the man died of complications linked to an ear infection probably caused by the use of cotton swabs that pierced the eardrum. Even more? A boy who had been partially deaf for nine years was suddenly cured - when a cotton wool bud from a Q-tip popped out of his ear. Crazy, right? Point is, don't put a Q-tip in your ear, you'll be doing way more harm than good.

If you still feel like you need to clean out those ears, there are some tips for that so read more.

According to WebMD, most people don't need to do any ear maintenance at all. Earwax slowly moves toward the opening of the ear canal and is sloughed off during daily routines and showers. If you want, you can take a washcloth and, using your finger, gently wash the opening of your ear.

If you're someone, like my best friend, who produces unusually large amounts of earwax and your ear canal keeps getting clogged, you may need to see your doctor occasionally to have it removed. Some people swear by ear candling, but the debate is still up on whether or not it even works.

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