General Care Tips for Ear

Have your ears checked regularly by your primary care physician and your hearing checked regularly by an audiologist. Consult an ear physician as necessary.

* When outdoors in sunny weather, remember to use a sunscreen on your ears.

* If you notice unusual bumps or scaly areas on the exterior ear, consult your physician immediately.

* Know the warning signs of hearing loss:

* Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise

* Frequently asking others to repeat what they have said

* Misunderstanding what other people say and answering inappropriately

* Difficulty hearing on the telephone

* Requiring the television or radio volume to be louder than others in the room prefer

* Feeling that people are mumbling or have marbles in their mouth when they talk

* Difficulty hearing environmental sounds, such as birds chirping

* Agreeing, nodding your head, or smiling during conversations when you are not sure what has been said

* Withdrawing from conversations and social situations because it is too difficult to hear

* Reading lips so you can try to follow what people are saying

* Straining to hear or keep up with conversations

* Noise within your ears or head called tinnitus not caused by an external sound source

* See an ear physician immediately if you injure your ears, experience ear pain, or notice changes in your ears or hearing.

* See an ear physician immediately if you injure your ears, experience ear pain, or notice changes in your ears or hearing.