Things That Get Into Your Ears

Try as we might, things always seem to get into our ears. Unfortunately, there is not a door or gate that we can close to prevent things from getting in there; though this would be a nice feature. You would be surprised what hearing health professionals and doctors have found in their patients ear canals. Some would amaze you and some will just gross you out. Do an online search and you will see not only pictures of what people have pulled out of their ears, but there are even full videos of the extractions; it’s shocking to say the least.

How do your ears get dirty?

So how do these things get into your ears?  Your ear is an open hole and while it’s small, it’s not impossible for dirt, debris and other items to become lodged in your canal. In most instances, things just get in there because the wind blew them in, such as dirt and other debris in the air. The ear usually flushes out the dirt and debris that is typically blown into your ears by the wind. Your ear cleans itself with the wax production and movement out of the ear canal.

How do you prevent debris from entering your ear?

Because it’s easy for small debris and dirt to end up in your ear, it’s important to take the proper precautions when outside or enjoying the beach, ocean or pool. If you’re doing any yard work, such as trimming trees or mowing the lawn, take care to wear protection over your ears to avoid any scraps from entering your canal. Additionally, swimming earplugs are ideal when you’re spending a day at the beach or in the water. These will help prevent bursts of water from entering your ears and disrupting your body’s natural cleaning process.

Tips for cleaning your ears

While it’s important not to insert anything smaller than your elbow into your ear canal, you can use items like damp cloths, towels or cotton swabs to clean the outer edge of your ear. These items can help rid dirt and debris on the outside of your ear from entering your ear canal.

In the event you think there is something trapped or stuck in your ear canal, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a hearing care professional in your area to ensure your auditory system is clean and in optimal shape.