Ear Nose And Throat
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HEAR HERE FOR THE ANSWERS TO COMMON EAR HEALTH CONCERNS.

SHOULD I CLEAN MY EARS?

‘Cleaning ears can often do more harm than good,’ says Dr Rob Hicks. ‘ It’s said that ‘nothing smaller than your elbow’ should be put into the ear as it has its own internal cleaning mechanism that can operate without your help,’ he adds.

WHY DO I HAVE EAR WAX?

Earwax is an oily substance produced by glands at the entrance to the ear canal, which helps to stop dirt, dust and germs getting into your ear. Normally wax moves naturally to the outside of the ear where it falls out in flakes or crust.

WHY DOES WAX BUILD UP

More often than not a build-up of wax is caused by unnecessary cleaning. ‘Using a cotton wool bud, for example, tends to push the wax back into the ear where it becomes compacted and difficult to shift,’ explains Hicks. This blockage is usually referred to as an earwax plug or impacted earwax.

Other causes of wax plugs include an excess wax problem or narrow ear canals. Also as we age our glands secrete less sebum (oily secretion) making wax drier and harder. Wax can take longer to move to the outside of the ear, which may lead to a build up.

HOW CAN I UNBLOCK MY EARS?

In about a third of people earwax plugs go away on their own without treatment. Eardrops or a couple of drops of olive oil can help to soften the wax. If the wax is very compacted you may need to go to your GP or practice nurse to have your ears syringed.

HOW DO EAR CANDLES WORK?

Ear candles or cones have been used successfully to treat ear problems. The tapered end of the cone is placed in the ear while the wider end is set alight. The burning action and shape of the cone create a gentle vortex that helps to lift the wax and loosen it from the ear, drawing it into the cone itself. This also helps to re-balance any tension in the eardrum which can often build up, for example after a long flight or a swimming or diving holiday. Ear cones can also be used once a month to help maintain general ear health. Make sure you follow the safety instructions in the pack and don’t use with children under the age of three.

WHAT IS A MIDDLE EAR INFECTION?

The small space behind the eardrum known as the middle ear is usually filled with air but sometimes, for example during a cold, germs and mucus travel down the eustachian tube, making this part of the ear painful and infected.

Anyone can get this type of ear infection known as acute otitis media, but it is more likely in children because their eustachian tubes are much shorter than adults. Shorter tubes get blocked with mucus more easily so the fluid can’t drain away from the middle ear.

Typical symptoms are pain and inflammation as well as a fever and dulled hearing. Most infections clear up naturally after a couple of days but antibiotics may be necessary to get rid of the infection completely.

WHAT IS GLUE EAR?

After an ear infection, fluid can remain trapped inside the middle ear, which is usually referred to as glue ear. In many children glue ear clears up after a few weeks of what doctors call ‘watchful waiting’ without treatment. If the condition persists or keeps recurring an operation to put in grommets – small tubes which allow the fluid that has built up to drain away - may be necessary.

LOOK AFTER YOUR EARS

• Don’t put anything into your ear to clean it such as a cotton bud and beware sharp fingernails.
• Dry your ear gently if you get water in it.
• Keep away from constant loud noise. If your job demands it wear ear protection.
• Wash around your ear rather than inside it.
• Nutrients such as vitamin E (found in nuts and seeds) and phospholipids (in eggs, milk and peanut butter) which support cell membranes can help protect the inner ear.