Avoiding and Coping with Ear Discomfort and Pain

Millions of people nationwide suffer from ear sensitivity and discomfort. Whether caused by seasonal sinus issues, freak accidents, or loud working environments, ear pain is not easy pain to adhere to. Writing from my own experiences, there are simple ways and preparations one can take to avoid ear damage as well as methods to alleviate permanent ear pain that many experience.

Foremost, one needs to understand how very fragile the sense of hearing is, as well as how damage can easily occur. Inside our inner ears is a coiled tube called the cochlea. Within the tube, attached to the organ itself, are thousands of tiny hairs called cilia. When sound waves enter the ear, each cilium (often clusters of them) that is tuned to certain frequencies vibrates to those frequencies and creates the sounds we hear. That is a basic explanation of how our hearing functions, but how does this help understand ear pain? Important to note is that cilia cannot be repaired. Once damaged or hurt due to volume or overexposure to certain notes/frequencies, they can either become overly sensitive to the sound or no longer register the sound at all. By having a basic understanding of how hearing works it is easier to realize how important it is to protect our vital sense of sound.

Let's start with how to avoid hearing loss and ear damage. If you have a job that requires you to operate heavy machinery, work in a closed space with tools, or any other loud environment where you live and make a living, start with the simplest step: purchase a set of earplugs. There are many variations; experiment until you find a type that is comfortable for you. Plastic, rubber, foam, even custom fit molds can be made for your ears. For extremely loud work places I advise (as do laws in certain states) that ear protection should be required for the job. Oftentimes the decibel levels are too high for earplugs to protect your hearing, in which case you should make a habit of wearing earmuffs. Many earmuffs are rated for volume levels of 35 decibels or higher - perfect for construction sites, loading docks, etc.

I know what many of you may be thinking. I work in loud spaces all day, and have never had a problem yet. I think my ears have adjusted to the noise. If that thought just entered your mind, consider this. Working with power tools for a project around the house or every fortnight will not damage your ears. Overexposure to the same task, day in, day out, without protection, will result in loss of hearing and worse still, pain.

People who do not already deal with ear pain sometimes find it hard to start protecting their own ears when they themselves have not felt discomfort yet. That is why you must look at your work environment critically: Will I be operating loud equipment all day long, full time? How long will I have this job, or live in this loud space? Start asking yourself these questions, and start protecting your ears. Overexposure to certain frequencies, certain loud frequencies, lead to pain of hearing that note or even muffled hearing coupled with pain if protection is not implemented. All too easily can one freak noise or accident cause serious ear damage, and with plugs and earmuffs becoming part of your work routine you can better prepare for those instances. Begin to take precautions for your sense of hearing so it will be with you, pain free, for the future.

As for people who do not work in loud spaces yet continually find themselves in loud situations, look for control. Blasting your speakers in your car, a closed environment, can be fun, but repeatedly cranking the songs will eventually damage your hearing. Loud base sounds are especially damaging to ears if again and again you expose yourself to them. The base sounds you love to blast could lead to you feeling pain every time you hear a certain note, or even loss of hearing the note all together. Are you at a party and the sounds are loud enough to make your ears throb? Find a quieter place and rest your ears; don't make yourself stay in an environment that already hurts your hearing. If you have control of the volume or where you are, don't hurt yourself!

As well, using headphones is less damaging and less dangerous than constantly using ear buds for a very simple reason. Headphones stay on the outside of your ear, simulating a more natural surround-sound feature, as well as letting sound filter through the air in and around your ear. Ear buds, on the contrary, are forced inside your ear canal. In such a tight space, sound has no filters and no way to surround - it only projects straight into your ear canal, one straight shot. Sound needs room and space to work effectively and not be forced to perform in potentially damaging ways. Making the switch to headphones from ear buds is a wise one, most definitely if you always carry your music with you and listen to songs non-stop.

For those of you (like myself) who already deal with ear pain on a daily basis, there are ways to alleviate your symptoms, and more importantly, avoid even more pain. More serious sufferers who deal with tinnitus (ringing in the ears), E.T.D. (Eustachian tube dysfunction), or other such ailments need to consult your doctor or ear, nose, and throat specialist for advice; the things I will be listing are basic reminders and tips. Those us of who deal with ear pain and sensitivity already know the importance of earplugs and protection. Again, think ahead. Will I be in a loud space tonight? Is this movie an action movie with loud bangs and shots? If you know there will be loud sounds in your future, take a pair of plugs with you. Even more important, if you will be going out with no place in particular in mind, most assuredly bring a pair as a safety net. You never know when your group will decide to go somewhere of do something that could hurt your ears. The last thing is to never keep your pain locked inside. Tell your family and friends of your condition - odds are they will respect your wishes and help to make sure you are not hurt by damaging sounds.

Learning how to protect your hearing is a task that many people need to develop as habit. Hopefully, the ways I've described losing your hearing and feeling ear pain do not sound like horror stories. It is important to take precautions, look ahead at the long-term effects that can occur without protection, and make sure that you always prepare. Simple solutions and habits can be formed to help you live your life without ear sensitivity or pain from hearing. Our sense of hearing is wonderful, but fragile, and protecting it should become a priority for your present and future.