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As
body parts go, your ears don't ask for much. All your ears need is to be washed
regularly, so wash them with soap and water while you're washing your body in the bath or shower.
It is important to clean and wash your ears regularly.
Be sure that you do not stick the q-tip in to far and that you leave a small amount of wax in the ear for normal functioningmportant
to clean and wash your ears regularly. Be sure that you do not stick the q-tip in to far and that you leave a small amount
of wax in the ear for normal functioning.
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Swimmer's Ear
Sometimes,
swimming can lead to a case of swimmer's ear. That's when your outer ear gets infected,
causing swelling and pain. This happens when water gets stuck in your ear canal. This can irritate the skin, making it easier
for bacteria to invade the skin and cause an infection. If you think you have swimmer's ear, your mom or dad needs to call
the doctor. Special eardrops can help you get rid of it.
To
prevent swimmer's ear, dry your ears after swimming and shake out excess water, especially if you feel it stuck in there.
Again, with your parent's help, a few drops of rubbing alcohol can dry out any moisture in there. Simply tip your
head over and drop several drops of rubbing alcohol or vinegar into your ear, wait for them to fall in and then tip the head
over and drain them out. You may need to repeat a few times. Drying your ears will keep you - and your ears - in the swim!
What Causes Hearing Loss?
Hearing
loss can happen because a person was born with parts of the ear that didn't form correctly and don't work well. Other problems
can happen later because of an injury or illness, including:
- middle ear
fluid
- serious
infections, such as meningitis
- head injury
- listening
to very loud music, especially through headphones
- repeated
exposure to loud sounds, such as machinery
Lots
of kids have had ear infections, which also can cause hearing loss. Permanent hearing loss is rare from an ear infection, but you need to
visit the doctor if you or your parents suspect you have one.
A kid who's having trouble hearing could have
a problem as simple as too much wax in the ears. This can be removed
by a doctor and help the kid hear normally again. But hearing problems also can be more complicated - a little like solving
a mystery. Why? Because the ear has several different parts, it's mostly hidden inside your head, and it connects to your
brain.
An audiologist can help figure out what
the problem is with a kid's hearing. He or she might send a report to the kid's doctor, so they can work together on solving
the problem. Kids with hearing problems may visit an audiologist regularly to see how the treatments are working and to make
sure their hearing hasn't changed. You can get in touch with an audiologist through your healthcare provider or by contacting
your local Headstart office.
Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
A kid's hearing tests might show that he
or she has some hearing loss. The problem might affect one ear or both. The good news is
that there are many treatments for kids who have hearing loss. Hearing aids are common. These are tiny devices that have microphones
and make sounds louder so that someone with hearing loss can hear them. Sometimes, surgery can fix some or all of the
hearing problem. If surgery only improves someone's hearing, wearing a hearing aid can help the person hear even better. Kids
who have hearing problems also can get other help.
click here for printable fact sheet about hearing
For additional information on hearing loss click here
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