6 Ear Cleanse
6 Ear Cleanse
6 Ear Cleanse
The human ear is one of the more remarkable parts of the human body, not only
because of the beauty and unlikelihood of its structure, but also because of its
remarkable sensitivity to sounds.
From an anatomical point of view, the ear is conventionally and conveniently divided
into three parts: the outer, the middle and the inner ears.
The outer ear consists of the pinna (auricle) that leads into the external auditory
canal. It collects sound waves from a wide area and funnels the sound into the
external ear passage. On the inside surface of the outer ear is the tympanic
membrane (eardrum). It is stretched across the end of the auditory canal separating
the outer ear from the middle ear.
The middle ear consists of small
bones called ossicles. They are
the malleus (hammer), the incus
(anvil) and the stapes (stirrup).
They transfer sound waves to the
inner ear. Located covering an
opening into the inner ear is called
the oval window. Below is another
membrane called the round
window that stretches across the
opening and adjoins the cochlea in
the inner ear.
The inner ear comprises a coiled
structure called the cochlea. The
snail-like spiral coiled tube contains the receptors for sound and the vestibular
apparatus that is associated with a sense of balance. The cochlear duct contains the
organ of Corti, which contains auditory receptor cells. The auditory nerve transmits
sound vibrations to the brain.
Functions
Sound waves are perceived by the brain through the firing of nerve cells in the
auditory portion of the central nervous system. The ear changes sound pressure
waves from the outside world into a signal of nerve impulses sent to the brain.
The human ear can generally hear sounds with frequencies between 20 Hz and 20
kHz (the audio range).
The ear also plays an important role in sensing balance and position. The semicircular canals are fluid filled tubes. When our head moves the fluid in these canals
stays still. Sensory cells which can be found in these canals sense the movement of
fluid over them as the head moves. In this way the brain has an awareness of the
position of the head.
Ear Problems
Loss of hearing is the main problem of the ear. It can be sudden or gradual,
occurring over a period of days, weeks or years. Infection, trauma, noise pollution
changes in atmospheric pressure and earwax build up or impaction can cause a
sudden loss of hearing.
Hearing loss may be partial or complete, temporary or permanent, depending on the
cause. Hearing loss is not technically the same thing as deafness or hearing deficit.
Deafness is an inability to hear that most often occurs at or before birth or as a result
of a major illness or infection.
Hearing loss is divided into three categories: conductive hearing loss, sensor neural
hearing loss and central hearing loss.
Ear wax.
Acoustic neuroma.
Anaemia.
Otosclerosis, a condition in which the small bones of the middle ear become
immobile.
High blood pressure.
Stress and depression.
Trauma or Arthritis to the eardrum.
Use of certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, Aspirin etc.
Stroke, Shock etc.
From the above it is very much clear that very often cause of hearing loss is same
other medical condition and in such cases cleanse cannot be much of benefit.
However, earwax is very common to all of us and reason to various ear problems.
Earwax
There are small glands in the ear canal that produce wax. Earwax is a yellowish
waxy substance secreted in the ear canal. This wax entraps dust and foreign bodies,
so as to leave a clear passage for the sound waves. It protects the skin of the ear
canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication and also provides some protection from
bacteria, fungi, insects and water.
Ear wax can cause irritation when there is a blockage or impaction due to its
accumulation deep inside the ear canal. The wax gets pushed up deeper into the ear
while inserting cotton swabs into it, hence, causing blockage and discomfort.
Another most obvious reason is the use of any pointed object, such as bobby pins,
inside the ear in order to remove the superficial wax, which pushes the earwax more
inside into the ear.
People, who use ear plugs or hearing aids, are more prone to ear wax blockage.
Symptoms
The warning signs of impacted ear wax are as follows:
Ear Cleanse
1. Saline Solution
Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in around cup of warm water until it dissolves completely.
Now, soak a cotton ball in the solution and squeeze few drops of it into the ear by
slightly tilting your head upwards. Be in this position for some time so that the salty
water properly gets inside the ear. Now, tilt your head in the opposite direction in
order to drain out the solution from the ear. This is the best ear wax removal solution
to get rid of the problem at home.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix equal parts of water hydrogen peroxide and water. Make sure that the hydrogen
peroxide is not above 3%; otherwise, it may be harmful. Pour a few drops of it into
the ear by tilting your head sideways. Let it settle down in the ear for some time.
Now, tilt your head towards the opposite side and let the extra solution drain out.
3. Baby Oil/Glycerine
Soften the ear wax by putting a few drops of baby oil or mineral oil with the help of a
dropper. Let the oil settle in for some time by placing a cotton ball at the ear opening.
This prevents oil from oozing out before reaching the ear wax. Take out the cotton
ball after some time in order to drain out the extra oil from the ear. Oil helps to soften
the impacted ear wax while facilitating the removal of ear wax.