Take Care of Your Ears, and They’ll Take Care of You

Simple tips for avoiding ear infections and hearing loss

The ears are an intricate arrangement of nerves, tubes, drums and canals, cartilage and bone. Though small in area, ears are so complicated that they are divided and treated in three sections: outer, middle and inner.

This complexity creates amazing capabilities to perceive the beautiful and vital sounds around us. The ears also help maintain balance and form spatial awareness.

With age, the ears begin to need more particular care. Modern activities and technology mean physicians are seeing more patients with ear conditions caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, including surfer’s ear in ocean enthusiasts and hearing loss linked to aging and everyday noise exposure. Yuan Liu, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist with Torrance Memorial Physician Network, offers a common-sense approach to protecting hearing and the ears in general.

What are the most common ear conditions you treat in older adults?

Most often, I see patients for sensorineural hearing loss, due to nerve damage, and tinnitus, or noise in the ears. I also see many patients for infections in the ear canal and middle ear, eustachian tube dysfunction and eardrum perforations.

How can individuals avoid swimmer’s ear and other ear infections?

The ears are generally self-cleaning. Thoroughly dry the ears after swimming using a light towel, not a Q-tip. Wear earplugs or use over-the-counter drops, which can help dry out ears after water exposure. Anyone prone to ear infections from swimming should see an ENT to check their ears for physical problems.

What are the causes, symptoms and treatment of “surfer’s ear”?

Surfer’s ear, or exostosis of the ear, is caused by chronic exposure to cold water, which stimulates bone growth in the ear canal and closes it over time. Surfers can use earplugs or swim caps to reduce cold water exposure. People get wax and water trapped in the ears, and sometimes ear infections become frequent. The treatment is surgery to remove the bony growths.

What are the early signs of hearing loss?

Signs of hearing loss are difficulty hearing conversation in noisy environments, sensitivity to loud noises or high-pitched sounds, or vertigo or ringing in the ears. You might notice some sounds seem muffled or you can’t find the direction of sounds. If you’re turning up the volume on your television higher than is comfortable for the people around you, that’s a sign to see your ENT.

How can older adults protect their hearing?

Avoid loud noises, including everyday sounds such as kitchen hoods, vacuum cleaners, movie theaters, etc. One of the most important ways to avoid hearing loss is a healthy diet, which generally is a whole-foods, plant-based diet. People with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol have a higher chance of hearing loss.

How is hearing loss managed today?

Hearing loss is diagnosed with a hearing test, which can determine if the hearing loss is due to nerve damage or some sort of physical obstruction. Hearing loss can be addressed with hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing aids, cochlear implants (for severe hearing loss) and other surgeries for hearing loss due to conductive hearing loss (not related to nerve hearing loss).

Are there any new and noteworthy treatments for ear ailments?

Hearing aids have become more comfortable and usually come with features such as connectivity to phones and TVs. Some hearing aids can be placed entirely in the ear canal and can be changed out months later. But the most important thing is to get assessed for symptoms to determine the best course of treatment, as there are many possibilities.

Yuan Liu, MD, is an ear, nose and throat specialist with Torrance Memorial Physician Network and practices at 23550 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 125, in Torrance. He can be reached at 310-517-8952