Signs Your Workout Might Be Damaging Your Hearing
Now, lets look at the warning signs of hearing damage.
How Is Tinnitus Diagnosed
The patients history and description of symptoms is the key in determining what might be causing tinnitus.
The health-care professional may ask questions in regard to the quality of the abnormal sound, and whether it is constantly present or whether it comes and goes. Other questions may include the following:
- Does it involve one or both ears?
- Does the sound pulsate, or does it sound like a rush or flow?
- Does it click?
- Has there been recurrent exposure to loud noises or sound at work, at home or at play?
- Is there associated decreased hearing or hearing loss?
- Does the person feel a sensation of spinning ?
Medications: Be prepared to provide the health-care professional a list of medications including over-the-counter and supplements to review since tinnitus may be a side effect of certain medications.
Physical exam: Physical examination will focus on the head and neck, and especially the ears, including the auditory canals and tympanic membranes. Since the sense of hearing is conducted through one of the cranial nerves , a careful neurologic exam also may be performed. Weakness or numbness in the face, mouth, and neck may be associated with a tumor or other structural abnormality pressing on a nerve. The healthcare professional may listen to the flow in the carotid arteries in the neck for an abnormal sound , since carotid artery stenosis can transmit a sound to the ear that may cause tinnitus.
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Can Wearing Earbuds Cause An Ear Infection
- Baton Rouge General
Your go-to accessory for workouts or virtual meetings could be putting your health at risk. Wireless headphones and earbuds that go directly in your ear are a breeding ground for sweat, bacteria and dirt, which can lead to infections. Excessive usage isnt so much the issue as is not cleaning them properly. If you are not regularly cleaning your earbuds or headphones, heres what you need to know.
Its common to have bacteria on the skin, but the infection threat comes into play if you get an abrasion or a cut. Earbuds can cause a scrape on the inner lining of the ear canal. They can also lock in moisture. The scrape plus the moisture equal the perfect storm for bacteria to flourish.
Theres also a connection between earbuds and ear wax. Your ears produce wax as protection and to help in cleaning and lubrication but if that process is blocked by earbuds, ear wax can build up. And putting the earbuds in that part of your ear canal can actually stimulate more wax production. Moisture can get trapped behind that built-up wax especially in more humid areas and lead to infections. Symptoms to watch out for are pain, itching, odor and discharge.
Now that you know the dangers lurking in your AirPods, whats next? The best advice to reduce your risk of infection is to keep your earbuds clean especially if you ever share them.
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If You’re Sick On Race Day
If it’s race day and you have a cold with only above-the-neck symptoms, you don’t have to be a no-show. It’s possible to walk or run a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon with a head cold, as long as you have no fever or lung congestion.
Your goal should simply be to finish rather than setting a personal record. You can also check to see if you can downgrade to a lower distance, such as the 10K if you registered for a half-marathon.
Look For Visible Symptoms
If your child is experiencing ear pain, these signals are especially helpful: With swimmer’s ear, the outer ear may appear red and swollen and have a rash-like appearance. You may see your child frequently scratch at his ear or complain of an itchy ear. Also watch for a foul-smelling drainagecoming from the ear bothering them. Symptoms to watch for with a middle ear infection include fever, pulling or tugging on the ear, decreased appetite, diarrhea or vomiting.
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How Can I Prevent An Ear Infection
Remove as many environmental pollutants from your home as you can, including:
- Dust
- Tobacco smoke
Also, reduce your or your child’s exposure to people with colds, and control allergies.
Taking steps to prevent colds, the flu, and other illnesses can prevent some, but not all, ear infections. Here are some important things to do:
- Be sure everyone in your household, including your children, get the proper vaccines when recommended. That includes flu and pneumococcal vaccines.
- Make hand washing a habit that becomes part of the family’s routine.
- If possible, avoid group care for children, especially during cold and flu season.
Because formula-fed babies are more likely to get ear infections, it is better to breastfeed your infant for the first 6 to 12 months, if possible, to prevent ear infections.
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What Can You Do To Prevent Them
With that in mind, there are several steps you can take to avoid developing an exercise-related yeast infection. Shannon suggests being especially careful when picking out your clothing.
“If the exercise will be prolonged and/or you will be sweating a lot, wear loose clothing and cotton underwear or clothing that will absorb, or wick away, the moisture,” she says. “It is also important to pick clothing that will not contribute to friction, especially if the exercise already causes friction in the vaginal area, i.e., cycling. Next, take breaks if you can to ‘air out.’
“Allowing ventilation may decrease your risk of getting a yeast infection. Finally, shower, thoroughly dry off, and change clothing as soon as possible after exercising.”
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Home Remedies For Coping With Covid
For both ear infections and COVID-19, supportive care is helpful in easing symptoms. Watchful waiting is usually suggested, especially when a viral cause of ear infection is suspected.
However, there may be some patients with other health concerns who do need antibiotics sooner. There are no approved medications to treat COVID-19 at home.
The focus for managing each of these conditions should be on relieving symptoms and increasing comfort as you heal.
Here are some suggestions to help treat ear infections at home:
- over-the-counter pain relievers
Fluid Buildup And Hearing Problems
Fluid behind the eardrum after an ear infection is normal. And in most children, the fluid clears up within 3 months without treatment. If your child has fluid buildup without infection, you may try watchful waiting.
Have your child’s hearing tested if the fluid lasts longer than 3 months. If hearing is normal, you may choose to keep watching your child without treatment.
If a child has fluid behind the eardrum for more than 3 months and has significant hearing problems, then treatment is needed. Sometimes short-term hearing loss occurs, which is especially a concern in children ages 2 and younger. Normal hearing is very important when young children are learning to talk.
If your child is younger than 2, your doctor may not wait 3 months to start treatment. Hearing problems at this age could affect your child’s speaking ability. This is also why children in this age group are closely watched when they have ear infections.
If there is a hearing problem, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to keep the fluid in the ear from getting infected. The doctor might also suggest placing tubes in the ears to drain the fluid and improve hearing.
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What To Know About These Conditions In Children
Ear infections are common in children because the tubes that drain fluid away from their ears are shorter, more horizontal, and narrower than those of adults.
When these tubes called the eustachian tubes dont work well, fluid can build up in the ears and increase the risk of infection.
On top of that, childrens immune systems are not as developed as adults and cant fight off infections as well.
As little research as there has been on ear infections and hearing loss with COVID-19, there has been even less in children. What is known is that COVID-19 infections are generally mild in most children, even though transmission has increased among kids with each virus mutation.
Ear Infection Home Treatments And Remedies
Ear infections can occur in the outer ear , middle ear , and inner ear . Natural and home remedies to treat pain include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen
- Applying a warm compress on the infected ear.
- Applying naturopathic ear drops with ginger, tea tree, or olive oil may help with pain and inflammation.
Talk with your doctor or pediatrician before using any herbal or naturopathic medicine for ear infections.
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Symptoms Of A Perforated Eardrum
Signs of a perforated eardrum, or an ear infection caused by a perforated eardrum, include:
- sudden hearing loss you may find it difficult to hear anything or your hearing may just be slightly muffled
- earache or pain in your ear
- itching in your ear
- fluid leaking from your ear
- a high temperature
- ringing or buzzing in your ear
The symptoms will usually pass once your eardrum has healed or any infection has been treated.
Physical Therapy To Improve Balance And Inner Ear Issues
Vestibular rehabilitation is a type of physical therapy that can benefit people with inner ear or balance problems. It helps your brain learn ways to use other senses to compensate for vertigo.
The exercises are typically customized to meet a persons individual needs. They may include eye and head movements, balance training, or other maneuvers, depending on whats causing your symptoms.
Vestibular rehabilitation is usually performed on an outpatient basis, but it can also be done in a hospital or home setting.
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Treatment For Inner Ear Infection
Infection in the ear is likely to occur in any of the three parts of the ear outer, middle and inner parts of the ear. Also, infection in the ear is a serious matter.
Therefore, it is important to treat the infection in order to prevent complications, which includes damaging or rupturing the eardrum and much more.
Diagnosis is a prior process of treatment. An audiologist will observe your ears with an otoscope. Then it will be followed by the hearing test. Your treatment will depend on the underlying causes of infections.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with an inner ear infection are advised to go for proper treatment.
Availing treatment for infection of the inner ear is mandatory for both children and adults. This is greatly achieved by seeking a professional doctor at a healthcare institution in your area.
In addition to using antibiotics, other medications may also be given to persons having an infection in the inner ear in order to reduce swelling and inflammation.
These are useful to treat an inner ear infection, to reduce swelling and inflammation, to treat nausea and vomiting, and to help eliminate dizziness and vertigo.
Following are some methods you can use to treat your inner ear infection:
To Exercise Or Not What The Pros Recommend
Now you know something about the immune system and how exercise interacts with it. But you still might be wondering whether you should exercise when youre sick. I asked some of the best in the business for their insights.
The consensus: Let your symptoms be your guide and use common sense. And remember the distinction between exercise and working out.
Unless youre feeling like a train wreck I always recommend low intensity, low heart rate cardio during the first few days of sickness. Generally I prefer 20-30 minute walks done either outside or on a home treadmill .
If you keep the intensity low and the heart rate down youll end up feeling better during the activity. And youll likely stimulate your immune system and speed up your recovery too. But even if you dont speed up your recovery, youll feel better for having moved.
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Can Working Out Cause Tinnitus
Looking for the best workout earbuds? Buyer beware: earbuds, going to the gym, and some forms of exercise can cause hearing loss and tinnitus. Consider this.
You understand how important exercise is to your health and wellbeing. Cardio keeps your heart healthy. It curbs obesity. You feel better.
Strength training, in particular, has many benefits. It increases muscle mass, reduces body fat and improves balance. It decreases bone loss as you age.
The CDC, American Heart Association, International Osteoporosis Foundation, and many other important health organizations agree on the importance of weight training for all adults.
But sometimes working out has side effects you didnt realize. Youre probably aware of sports injuries and the like. But did you realize that working out can harm your hearing?
Lets take a look at how your routine may contribute to hearing loss and what you can do to prevent it.
Ruptured Eardrum Symptoms Treatment And Healing Time
- A ruptured or perforated eardrum is a hole or tears in the eardrum .
- A ruptured or perforated eardrum usually causes pain if the cause is infectious or traumatic however, other causes may not cause pain.
- There are many signs and symptoms of a ruptured eardrum that may include one or more of the following:
- Vomiting
- Middle ear Inflammation or infection
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Complications Of Outer Ear Infection
Most outer ear infections clear up quickly with the right treatment. But sometimes an outer ear infection is harder to get rid of, and may continue to cause symptoms for three months or longer. This is called a long-term infection. In time, this can cause your ear canal to become narrowed or blocked, and lead to hearing loss.
Its possible for the infection to spread deeper into your skin or form a large collection of pus . You may need antibiotic tablets to treat this.
Rarely, an outer ear infection can start to affect the skin and cartilage around your ear, and nearby bones. This is called necrotising or malignant otitis externa. It happens when your outer ear infection spreads from your ear to nearby tissues. This can lead to serious infections of your skin, bones, and the membrane surrounding your brain . Most people who develop malignant otitis externa have an underlying problem with their immune system. For instance, they may have a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, diabetes, chemotherapy or taking medicines that suppress the immune system.
If you have malignant otitis, your ear is likely to be very painful. You may also have a high temperature, headache, ear discharge and dizziness. You may notice some loss of movement of the muscles in your face.
If you have these symptoms, its important to seek medical help straight away. Malignant otitis can be life-threatening if it isnt treated.
How The Gym Itself Causes Hearing Loss
This isnt just a bodybuilder problem. If youre taking spinning, Zumba or other aerobics classes, chances are the volume is cranked up to damaging levels.
Outside in the cardio and weight room, the music is blasting. TVs are blaring. Or you may choose to get in the zone with your own music through earbuds. Weights are clanking on polls, racks and machines.
Even if you skip the gym and go for a jog, chances are youre taking your music with you. All of this impacts hearing.
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Lowering The Volume Won’t Affect Your Workout Study Shows
You can even point your fitness instructor to the results of an interesting study on noise levels in gyms. It showed turning down the volume won’t affect the quality of your workout, as explained in depth by this article.
“Sound levels in many fitness classes remain dangerously high,” the study authors state. “However, music level can be lowered without a significant impact on perceived exercise intensity and many participants prefer lower sound levels than current levels.”