March 3 marks the International Ear Care Day. World Health Organization (WHO) observes International Ear Care Day to bring awareness to people. It has been identified that about 360 million people have hearing loss in the world. This number accounts to 5.3% of the world’s population. Half of hearing loss cases is preventable or avoidable through prevention.
Here in Singapore, International Care Day is also observed. Singapore integrated ear care in its primary health care. This is to promote a healthy hearing to avoid hearing loss at the end of the day. Hearing loss is preventable if you know how to clean your ears properly. You do not stick anything in it because it can harm your ears. If you want to know how to clean your ears properly, you should consider the following tips:
1. Make sure you do not have an ear infection. It is important that you make sure you do not have an ear infection before you proceed. If you suspect you have ear infection, it is important that you do not consider the process below. The best thing to do is schedule doctor’s appointment right away.
2. Create your own solution. You can make your home made ear solution. This is completely safe, do not worry. You should add one teaspoon (or two) of 3-4% of hydrogen peroxide solution, one teaspoon (or two) of mineral oil and one teaspoon (or two) of glycerine. If you want to be sure, you can go to your local pharmacy and ask for a carbamide peroxide solution.
3. Prepare the materials. An applicator is needed but it is not a requirement. If you do not have an applicator, you can simply pour the solution you made into your ears. If you have applicator, that would be better because it is easier and tidier. You need a plastic syringe or eyedropper.
4. Tilt your head when applying the solution. When you pour the solution, make sure that your head is tilt. The solution will work better if you tilt your head. If you want a more comfortable solution, you can simply lie down on the side. Make sure that you drop the solution slowly.
5. Wait for ten minutes. It is important that you allow the solution to sit for a few minutes. Give at least ten minutes before draining your ears. This is enough to break the ear waxes. If you use hydrogen peroxide, you should wait until you do not hear the popping sound.
6. Drain and flush. Tilt your head slowly and let the liquid drain. That is not the end. You have to flush the wax. Expect that the wax has softened. You can use a syringe to flush it out. Make sure that it is lukewarm water. Gently squirt it.
Remember that it is not advisable to always stick cotton swabs to your ears because they can only push the cerumen or earwax inside. It is natural for cerumen or earwax to accumulate because it is the ear’s natural defence against bacteria and dirt. However you need to clean it properly.
