Patients always ask what they can do on their own to prevent chronic ear problems. Here's a Top Ten List of my Do's and Don'ts for your ears. It's a condensed version of what I tell my patients all the time. Hope they help you to avoid ear problems from plaguing you.
TOP TEN DO's
TOP TEN DON'TS
1.DOuse a blow dryer to keep ears dry after water sports.
1.DON'Tundergo ear candling to remove ear waxit doesn't work.
2.DOuse nasal saline to keep nasal passageways clear during allergy season to prevent ear and sinus blockage.
2.DON'Tuse a Q-tip to clean out your ears. Better yet, remove them entirely from your bathroom medicine cabinet.
3.DOapply sunscreen to the back of your ears as the skin there is prone to sun exposure.
3.DON'T...expose your ears to continuous loud noises.Translation: turn your iPod down.
4.DOuse a 50:50 alcohol and vinegar solution as ear drops to evaporate excess water and keep your ears dry if you're prone to swimmer's ear.
4.DON'Tsmoke
5.DOsee a physician if you experience sudden onset hearing loss
5.DON'Tignore sudden hearing loss
6.DO cover your ears when exposed to loud noises
6.DON'T use ear plugs if you have wax problems
7.DOhave a qualified physician remove ear wax
7.DON'Ttry to remove ear wax on your own
8.DOuse hydrogen peroxide or mineral oil to periodically loosen ear wax
8.DON'Tuse anything larger than your elbow to clean inside your ears.
9.DOuse OTC decongestants while flying if prone to ear popping
9.DON'Teat right before you go to bedeat at least 3 hours before instead.
10.DOuse mineral or olive oil to drown live insects that get stuck in your ears (& get the dead insect removed by an ENT)
10. DON'Tscratch the inside of your ear with a pen or any sharp object.