How to clean and keep your ears healthy

• Never put anything into your ears. The lining of the ear is delicate, meaning that it can be easily damaged by foreign objects.
• Don't use cotton buds to clean your ears. They can irritate the ear canal and push wax back inside, making it more difficult to remove.
• To keep ears clean and healthy, wash the visible part of the ear and behind the ear using a little soap, then wipe the soap away with rinsed fingers and dry with a thin towel.
• Don't immerse your ears in bath water as body bacteria may enter your ear canal and could cause an infection.
• Try a drop of olive oil in each ear once a week to soften earwax and encourage it to move out of the ear naturally.
• Use earplugs to protect your ears from loud noise. Although we may try to avoid exposure to loud noises, sometimes we have to use noisy machinery, such as lawnmowers and chainsaws, or attend events where the noise levels are high. If you find yourself in one of these situations, pop in a set of ear plugs to reduce your exposure and prevent hearing loss.
• Give your ears time to recover if you find yourself exposed to loud noises for an extended period of time. Whether it’s a concert, a noisy bar or a thrilling sports match, your ears will need some quiet time to recuperate.
• Turn the volume down when using headphones and earbuds. Sitting so close to your eardrums, both devices can be damaging to your ear health if not used sparingly. Limit your daily exposure to around an hour at a reasonable volume.
• Have regular checkups. If you are concerned about your ear health, chat with your GP or make an appointment at a hearing clinic to get to the bottom of your worries.
• Don't ignore ear problems, they won't improve without the right treatment. The longer you leave an ear problem, the longer it may take to treat.

If you think your hearing may be affected by noise at work, the best place to start is by talking to your employer, to assess and control the risks. As a general guide, you shouldn't have to work without ear protection, with noise levels at work that are louder than a busy street.

If you experience any loss of hearing, our expert Audiologists and Audiometrists have the knowledge and experience to answer any questions you may have about hearing protection as well as being able to give you a full comprehensive hearing test. This will leave you with the knowledge and understanding of the health of your ears and the best way to protect them.