Ears: The guardian of hearing and balance that cannot be ignored

The ear, as an important member of the human body's five senses, is not only a window for us to listen to the world, but also bears the important task of maintaining body balance. However, in daily life, the ear is often the organ that we are most likely to ignore. In order to increase everyone's attention to ear health, let us re-understand the ear.

1. Structure and function of the ear

The ear consists of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear:

External ear: It includes the auricle and the external auditory canal. The auricle is responsible for collecting sound, while the external auditory canal connects the auricle and the middle ear.

Middle ear: Located between the outer ear and the inner ear, it consists of the tympanic cavity, Eustachian tube, tympanic sinus and mastoid. The main function of the middle ear is to conduct and amplify sound.

Inner ear: It has a complex structure and consists of three parts: the vestibule, semicircular canals and cochlea. The first two parts are responsible for the sense of balance, while the cochlea is related to hearing.

2. The Importance of Ear Health

Auditory perception: The ears receive sound waves, convert them into nerve signals and transmit them to the brain, allowing us to perceive the sounds around us, including language, music, natural sounds, etc. This is the basis for human communication, learning and enjoyment of life.

Balance control: The vestibule and semicircular canals inside the ear can sense the body's tilt and rotation, helping us maintain balance and posture. This is essential for our daily lives and sports.

3. Main factors affecting hearing

1. Birth-related factors: genetic factors (including hereditary and non-hereditary hearing loss), intrauterine infections (such as rubella and cytomegalovirus infection).

2. Perinatal factors: birth asphyxia (lack of oxygen at birth), hyperbilirubinemia (severe jaundice in newborns), low birth weight and other perinatal diseases.

3. Childhood and adolescence factors: chronic ear infections (such as chronic suppurative otitis media), fluid accumulation in the ear (chronic non-suppurative otitis media), meningitis and other infections, loud noises/sounds.

4. Adult and elderly factors: chronic diseases, smoking, otosclerosis, age-related sensorineural degeneration, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, ototoxic drugs, work-related ototoxic chemicals, malnutrition, etc.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

1. The sound can be heard but not clearly.

2. Difficulty hearing in noisy environments.

3. You can only understand clearly when you are facing the speaker.

4. Feeling that others are mumbling or speaking unclearly.

5. People need to repeat some content.

6. You need to adjust the TV volume to a higher level than others.

7. When you find that you do not understand the topic of the conversation, you often answer questions that are not asked.

8. Having difficulty attending meetings, going to public places, or family gatherings.

9. You can’t hear the phone or doorbell unless you are very close.

10. Feeling of sounds in the head, such as buzzing or ringing (tinnitus).

5. Measures to prevent hearing loss

1. Reduce noise exposure: Avoid prolonged exposure to noise, and use earplugs or earmuffs when necessary. When using headphones every day, the volume should not exceed 60% of the maximum volume, and the continuous use time should not exceed 60 minutes.

2. Avoid ototoxic drugs: Use drugs that may damage hearing, such as certain antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs, with caution.

3. Keep the external auditory canal dry: Avoid water from entering the ears when swimming or bathing. If water accidentally enters the ears, drain it out as soon as possible.

4. Check your hearing regularly: Have your hearing checked regularly, especially for people who are exposed to noise or chemicals for a long time.

5. Healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, moderate exercise, quit smoking and limit alcohol, and get enough sleep

6. Rehabilitation measures for hearing loss

1. Food supplements: Foods rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A (such as carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes) and foods rich in zinc (such as fish, lean meat) and magnesium (such as bone broth, skim milk) can help protect hearing.

2. Ear massage: Regularly massaging the Tinggong, Yifeng and Tinghui points can promote blood circulation in the inner ear and enhance hearing.

3. Hearing aids and cochlear implants: For patients with moderate or severe hearing impairment, hearing aids and cochlear implants are effective means of hearing compensation.

7. Daily ear protection tips

1. Avoid excessive ear cleaning: Earwax has a protective function, and excessive cleaning will damage the ear canal.

2. Blow your nose correctly: avoid using excessive force to avoid otitis media.

3. Avoid ear trauma: Do not pull your ears or put foreign objects in your ears.

Ears are an important organ for us to perceive the world and are also the key to maintaining body balance. However, due to the neglect of ear health in daily life, many people face ear problems such as hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, we should pay more attention to ear health and take appropriate preventive measures and daily care methods to protect our hearing health. Let us work together to care for ear health and enjoy a beautiful auditory world!