FAQs About Ear Health
Everyone should know how to maintain ear health and what to do in the event of an earache, ear infection or hearing loss. By reading a few facts, you'll learn what to look for in an ear infection, how to treat an earache and what to do about hearing loss.
Q: What causes an earache?
A: An earache can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or by changes in the barometric pressure. It is common to experience an earache in an airplane when variations of barometric pressure occur during take-off and landing.
Q: How is an earache treated?
A: Simple earaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. In addition, these medications can also treat other symptoms associated with earaches such as fever and sore throat. Also, pain relieving ear drops can help with pain and ear inflammation. Antibiotics can be used for bacterial ear infections, so when the infection is resolved, your earache will typically improve as well.
Q: Are antibiotics effective for all types of earaches?
A: No. Antibiotics are only effective for earaches caused by bacterial infections. Those caused by viruses or changes in barometric pressure will not be helped by antibiotic therapy.
Q: Can hearing loss be reverse?
A: In most cases no. You can, however, help prevent it from getting worse by limiting the time you spend listening to loud music at concerts or through headphones. In addition, seeing an audiologist or an ear, nose and throat doctor can offer you suggestions on how you can lower your risk of hearing loss.
Q: What are the signs of an ear infection?
A: Signs of an ear infection include pain in the ear, muffled hearing and sometimes drainage. In addition, systemic manifestations of infection can also occur such as fever and general malaise.
Q: Can ear infections be chronic?
A: Yes, and this is especially true in children. When chronic ear infections in children occur, a procedure that involves the placement of small tubes in the ears can be done to reduce the risk. These tubes can maintain ear health and reduce the risk of future infections.
Q: Should you use cotton swabs to clean your ears?
A: You can use cotton swabs to clean your ears, but never insert them to deep into the ear canal as this can contribute to poor ear health such as infections or a ruptured eardrum.
Q: What causes ringing in the ears?
A: Ringing in the ears can be caused by infection, loud noises and consumption of aspirin. To maintain ear health, if you experience pain or ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, see your doctor.