What You Should Know About the Use of Earplugs

What You Should Know About the Use of Earplugs

By Shalini Madhav

Earplugs are usually promoted because they are said to prevent NIHL or noise-induced hearing loss and so as to protect against noise trauma. People use the earplugs at night as they sleep to avoid the loud snoring noises of a spouse or if they are hypersensitive to the noises at night. There are still others who use earplugs every time they fly. This shows some level of dedication to ears and it is something that can be admired greatly. However, it is important to be aware of the use and restrictions so as to have a positive impact on your health.

You can protect your ears very effectively from any loud noises and limit your exposure to noise even in the workplace. There are different models available in the market. It is important to learn the dos and the don'ts of using them.

Clean or discard

If you have to use them every day, it is very important that you clean them regularly or discard them depending on the model. This is because when they are not replaced or cleaned, there is a greater chance of having bacteria in the ear canal. Earwax can also lead to the rigidity of the same and this puts a strain within the ear canal. This may lead to great pain as well as ear infections. Hearing loss is also a common occurrence. Therefore, you should discard the foam models every day and then clean any modeled or pre-modeled ones every day.

Earwax

Earwax may look like it is annoying or useless. However, you need to appreciate the fact that it is very useful. This is produced by the ear and helps in the normal process. It corrects the ear skin and also guards and lubricates so as to keep the ear clean. The wax then slips from the ears taking with it impurities. Using the earplugs can actually make it hard for the natural process to carry one and cause a wax buildup. This may make it hard to hear. You should be able to remove the wax and you may opt to see a professional who will clean them for you.

Insertion

You should do the correct insertion. It may seem like an easy task but you need to be very keen. You should first roll it, open the ear, and then hold the plug after insertion. You should find out more about what a correct fit should be like so as to avoid doing it the wrong way.

Use the correct one

You need to choose the correct model and material. Silicone is one of the available options in the market and it seems to be very popular too. Silicone option is good if you are flying. They are also ideal for surfing and swimming because they are waterproof. It is important to settle for a material that is irritation free and comfortable.

When using the plugs, your ears should not fill as if they are stuffed up. Even though the feeling may have no pain, you should still be checked out. Hearing loss is a painless process. It is important to get tested by a health professional. Silicone earplugs are the beat earplugs for flying. There is such a wide range to select from and many resources available regarding this topic. Find out more about them and evaluate if you actually need to use them for whatever reason.

Article Source:  What You Should Know About the Use of Earplugs

Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis - The Physical and Psychological Effects

The physical and psychological effects of chronic Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis.

Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis (VN) are both conditions which affect the functioning of the inner ear. Both are usually caused by a viral infection but effect different parts of the Vestibular System. Labyrinthitis causes inflammation of the Labyrinth, which resembles three intertwined semi-circular canals. These canals are filled with fluid and sensors, which detect rotational movement of the head and aid balance. Each semicircle is at a different angle to the others and is responsible for recognising a particular head movement, for example, side to side, up and down and tilting to either side. In addition, each semicircle contains hair cells that are activated when the inner ear fluid moves. When the head moves, these hair cells send nerve impulses to the brain through the 'vestibulocochlear nerve' (also known as the acoustic nerve) telling the brain about the position of our head and body. Vestibular Neuritis causes inflammation of the vestibular nerve, however causes the same symptoms as Labyrinthitis. Labyrinthitis and VN are thought to effect 1 in 10 people.

Labyrinthitis and VN symptoms usually begin very suddenly and can last between 2-6 weeks. Some people report that their symptoms disappear as suddenly as they started, however for many, recovery can be slow and frustrating. If Labyrinthitis and VN continue past 2 weeks, it usually indicates that there is damage to either the Labyrinth or the Vestibular Nerve as a result of infection. In cases such as these, Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy is vital to get the vestibular system to compensate. Even with individuals who have a percentage of unilateral or bilateral hypofunction report increased independence and a decrease in symptoms, after practicing VRT for a number of weeks. Without this therapy, recovery can be bleak. Medication prescribed by general practitioners such as Stemetil or Serc, can actually be detrimental to recovery as they 'dumb down' the inner ear functioning in an attempt to curb the feeling of motion sickness. However, in doing so actually inhibit the brains ability to compensate fully on its own.

Symptoms of Labyrinthitis and VN usually include, but are not limited to:
• Vertigo - a dizziness which feels like being drunk
• Spinning vertigo (dizziness like the room is spinning)
• Feeling like falling over or losing balance completely
• Nausea
• Chronic fatigue
• Low stamina and weak
• Mild confusion
• Disorientated
• Slight memory loss
• Light headed, faint, woozy
• Sore, tired and strained eyes
• Motion intolerance
• Vivid dreams
• Disturbed sleep
• Tinnitus
• Catarrh
• Blocked and popping ears
• Shaking

There are also a number of psychological symptoms individuals can experience when suffering with Labyrinthitis and VN. Due to the isolation and the loss of self-reliance symptoms can cause, many people can experience depression. In addition, a large number of sufferers report experiencing panic attacks and anxiety combined with their Labyrinthitis and VN symptoms. Some healthcare professionals suggest that this is a natural reaction due to worrying about falling over or feeling faint. However, one study conducted in 2003 by Nakagawa et al. showed that stimulation of the vestibular system was found to directly affect the amygdala gland, which triggers human beings fight or flight response, causing anxiety and panic attacks. Unfortunately, what this means for sufferers is that they have another element to deal with in their recovery.

Often the psychological symptoms of chronic illness can be overlooked as it can be normal to feel down when the body is sick. The five stage grief model, originally identified by Swiss-American psychiatrist Elizabeth K�bler-Ross in 1969, is a great indication of how people experience chronic illness. The stages are:
• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance

To make a full recovery from chronic Labyrinthitis and VN symptoms it is advisable to perform daily Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy exercises (as laid out by a professional physiotherapist after a consultation) and also attending talk therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

For much more information on how to recover from chronic Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis, how to maintain your health and methods on how to cope with the psychological trauma of chronic illness please refer to:

  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Recover-Labyrinthitis-Vestibular-Neuritis-Finally/dp/1520205686/ref=sr_tnr_p_2_270786_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483955814&sr=8-2&keywords=labyrinthitis


By Marian Groome


Article Source: Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis - The Physical and Psychological Effects