How to Prevent Ear Problems

Ear problems can occur in a number of different ways. These problems are often residual effects from other health problems. Ear pain can be a symptom of medication, a buildup of fluid or be caused by an infection. Likewise, a fall or a hit that is forceful to the ear can cause eardrum damage and can break the tiny bones that line the inner ear. Similarly, exposure to loud noises or explosions often causes damage to the ear.

Instructions

• 1

  Blow your nose gently. Even though a lot of sinus pressure can tempt a person to blow his nose hard, doing this can damage the eardrums and affect a person's hearing.

• 2

  Be careful to keep soap and shampoo out of the ear canal when taking a bath or shower. The substances in these products can make the ear itch. When soap or shampoo gets into the ear canal of a child, he may tug or itch his ear, which may make a person believes he has an ear infection.

• 3

  Use cotton swabs to clean around the ear, but not inside of the ear canal. A cotton swab inside of the ear canal could affect the way that the eardrum works.

• 4

  Wear protective earplugs if you must be exposed to loud noises. For example, a person who works in a place where there is loud music or a person who works on construction sites would do well to use earplugs to preserve their hearing and prevent ear problems.

• 5

  Do not smoke and stay away from people who do smoke when possible. In addition to irritating the mucus membrane that lines the lungs, sinuses and nose, cigarette smoke also can cause inflammation around the ear and infect the ear.

• 6

  Relax the muscles in the jaw. Often ear pain is a residual effect from jaw pain. By relaxing the jaw, you can also reduce the amount of pain felt in the ears.