The importance of maintaining ear health increases with age. To help prevent serious conditions, it should be an essential element of your senior loved one’s Mississauga home care. Here are a few ways you can help ensure your loved one’s ears remain healthy.
Clean the Ears Properly
Because earwax buildup can contribute to hearing loss, it is important to keep your loved one’s ears clean. However, sticking a cotton swab in the ear to dig out wax can actually do more harm than good. Instead, put baby oil or mineral oil in a syringe and put a few drops in your loved one’s ears, then follow up with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Alternatively, you can use an irrigation device designed to clean ears.
Have Ears Checked Regularly
Having your loved one’s ears checked out by a doctor regularly is essential for maintaining ear health. A doctor will be able to look in your loved one’s ears and detect problems before they become more serious. Aside from regular checkups, make sure your loved one goes to the doctor if you or anyone else begins to question how well he or she can hear or if he or she experiences pain or ringing in the ears.
Avoid Loud Noises
Sounds that are too loud, such as those coming from a stereo or television, can cause damage to your loved one’s ears, but using ear-protective headgear can help save his or her hearing. If your loved one uses a hearing aid, it should never be turned up too high because it can be harmful to his or her hearing.
Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
When ears are full of water, they become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, causing swimmer’s ear. To prevent this, your loved one should shake the water out of his or her ears after being in water, including showers and baths. Using cotton swabs or sticking fingers in the ears can also cause swimmer’s ear because they introduce foreign bacteria.
If your loved one needs help keeping his or her ears healthy, reach out to Home Care Assistance. Our live-in and part-time caregivers in Mississauga can help with regular grooming and hygiene, provide transportation to and from medical appointments, and also assist with a wide variety of other tasks. For more information on our senior care services, call one of our experienced Care Managers at 905-337-1200 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.