Ear Cleanse - I

Structure

The human ear is one of the more remarkable parts of the human body, not only
because of the beauty and unlikelihood of its structure, but also because of its
remarkable sensitivity to sounds. From an anatomical point of view, the ear is divided
into three parts: the outer, the middle and the inner ears.

The outer ear consists of the pinna (auricle) that leads into the external auditory
canal. It collects sound waves from a wide area and funnels the sound into the
external ear passage. On the inside surface of the outer ear is the tympanic
membrane (eardrum). It is stretched across the end of the auditory canal separating
the outer ear from the middle.

The middle ear consists of small

bones called ossicles. They are
the malleus (hammer), the incus
(anvil) and the stapes (stirrup).
They transfer sound waves to the
inner ear. Located covering an
opening into the inner ear is called
the oval window and below is
another membrane called the
round window that stretches
across the opening and further
adjoins the cochlea in the inner
ear.

The inner ear comprises a coiled

structure called the cochlea. The
snail-like spiral coiled tube
contains the receptors for sound
and the vestibular apparatus that is associated with a sense of balance. The
cochlear duct contains the organ of Corti, which contains auditory receptor cells. The
auditory nerve transmits sound vibrations to the brain.
Functions
Sound waves are perceived by the brain through the firing of nerve cells in the
auditory portion of the central nervous system. The ear changes sound pressure
waves from the outside world into a signal of nerve impulses sent to the brain.
The ear also plays an important role in sensing balance and position. The semi-
circular canals are fluid filled tubes. When our head moves the fluid in these canals

1
stays still. Sensory cells which can be found in these canals sense the movement of
fluid over them as the head moves. In this way the brain has an awareness of the
position of the head.
Ear Problems
Loss of hearing is the main problem of the ear. Hearing loss may be partial or
complete, temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. It can be sudden or
gradual, occurring over a period of days, weeks or years. Infection, trauma, noise
pollution changes in atmospheric pressure and earwax build up or impaction can
cause a sudden loss of hearing.
Hearing loss is not technically the same thing as deafness or hearing deficit.
Deafness is an inability to hear that most often occurs at or before birth or as a result
of a major illness or infection.
Hearing loss is divided into three categories: conductive hearing loss, sensor neural
hearing loss and central hearing loss.
 Conductive hearing loss
This occurs when the passage of sound waves is impeded in the external or
middle ear. It may result from factors such as earwax build up, middle ear
infection and inflammation, arthritis or trauma to the eardrum.

 Sensor neural hearing loss

This is a consequence of damage to the structures or pathways of the inner
ear. It may result from damage to the acoustic nerve (the eighth cranial nerve,
also known as the auditory nerve), which carries information from the inner
ear to the brain or from damage to tiny cells called hair cells in the inner ear. It
can be caused by certain prescription medications including certain
antibiotics, non sterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin taken over
a long period of time in high doses, quinine and infection of the inner ear. This
type of hearing loss affects both the acuity and clarity of hearing.

 Central hearing loss

This is very rare and is usually due to severe brain damage as a result of a
brain tumour or stroke.
Causes of Ear Problems
 Ear wax
 Acoustic neuroma (damage to the auditory nerve)
 Anaemia
 Otosclerosis, a condition in which the small bones of the middle ear become
immobile
 High blood pressure
 Stress and depression
 Trauma or Arthritis to the eardrum

2
 Use of certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, Aspirin etc.
 Stroke, Shock etc.
Earwax
There are small glands in the ear canal that produce wax. Earwax is a yellowish
substance secreted in the ear canal. This wax entraps dust and foreign bodies, so as
to leave a clear passage for the sound waves. It protects the skin of the ear canal,
assists in cleaning and lubrication and also provides some protection from bacteria,
fungi, insects and water etc.

Ear wax can cause irritation when there is a blockage or impaction due to its
accumulation deep inside the ear canal. The wax gets pushed up deeper into the ear
while inserting cotton swabs into it, hence, causing blockage and discomfort.
Another most obvious reason is the use of any pointed object, such as bobby pins,
inside the ear in order to remove the superficial wax, which pushes the earwax more
inside into the ear. People, who use ear plugs or hearing aids, are more prone to ear
wax blockage.

Noise Pollution:

Noise pollution is
one of the major
reasons behind the
gradual hearing loss
in today’s time. It is
believed that in
earlier times, people
were quite
comfortable with
their hearing
capacity till the end
of their lives but with
advancement came
noise pollution
which harms our ear
drums in long run , thus gradual decreasing our hearing capacity. The human ear
can generally hear sounds with frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz (the audio
range). If there is a sudden loud burst, it can rupture eardrum hampering the hearing
capacity of the individual.

Ear infection

Ear infections are quite common and if left untreated they can impair the hearing
capacity as well as other hear problems.

3
Symptoms
The warning signs of impacted ear wax are as follows:

 Itching of the ear canal

 Fullness or plugged sensation
 Dizziness
 Ringing in the ear
 Discharge from the ear canal
 Decreased hearing
 Fever
 Vomiting or diarrhoea
 Green or yellow drainage from the ears
 Persistent and severe ear pain etc.

4
 Ear Cleanse - II
It is very much clear that very often cause of hearing loss is same other medical
condition and in such cases cleanse cannot be much of benefit. However, earwax is
very common to all of us and reason to various ear problems.

1. Saline Solution

Ingredients
Sodium Chloride (salt) and water

Procedure
Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in around ½ cup of warm water until it dissolves
completely. Now, soak a cotton ball in the solution and squeeze few drops of
it into the ear by slightly tilting your head upwards. Be in this position for some
time so that the salty water properly gets inside the ear. Now, tilt your head in
the opposite direction in order to drain out the solution from the ear.

You can also pour little warm water in the affected ear. Leave it for a few
seconds. Then, drain it out.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Ingredients
Hydrogen peroxide and water

Procedure

5
 Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water. Make sure that the
concentration of hydrogen peroxide is not above 3%; otherwise, it may be
harmful. Pour a few drops of it into the ear by tilting your head sideways. Let it
settle down in the ear for some time. Now, tilt your head towards the opposite
side and let the extra solution drain out.

3. Baby Oil

Ingredients
Baby oil or mineral oil or Glycerine

Procedure
Soften the ear wax by putting a few drops of baby oil or mineral oil with the
help of a dropper. Let the oil settle in for some time by placing a cotton ball at
the ear opening. This prevents oil from oozing out before reaching the ear
wax. Take out the cotton ball after some time in order to drain out the extra oil
from the ear. Oil helps to soften the impacted ear wax while facilitating the
removal of ear wax.

4. Vinegar Solution

Ingredients
Vinegar, rubbing alcohol

6
 Procedure
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a bowl or mug. Pour
few drops into the ear clogged with ear wax. This solution greatly helps in
getting rid of the ear wax, which can be irritating sometimes.

5. Oil

Ingredients
Olive oil or mustard oil

Procedure
One of the best ways to remove the ear wax is olive oil as it softens the ear
wax, thus making it easier to come out from the ear. Put two-three drops of
olive oil into the ear, affected by excessive blockage, during bedtime. Repeat
it continuously for 3-4 days.

Do’s and Don’ts for Ear cleanse:

 In order to prevent blockage of ear wax, try keeping it moist by frequently

running water into your ear while taking a bath. This will prevent the ear wax
from getting dried up so that it doesn’t get blocked in the ear canal. Make
sure, you drain the water from the ear after running it for some time.

 Don’t use any pointed objects inside the ears as it can cause ear infection
while pushing the wax deeper.

7
  Avoid inserting cotton swabs or ear buds into the ear canal. You can use them
to remove exposed ear wax at the ear opening, but don’t push them deep
inside the ear canal. It can push the excess ear wax inside the ear canal,
thereby resulting into an impact. Don’t use candle ear wax remover. Ear
candles are another method to remove ear wax, but it can be really
dangerous as you need to hold the lighted candle very close to your ear. It
can even burn your ear.
 Don’t use cold water or a strong jet to drain out the excess ear wax. Strong jet
can lead to the damage of the ear drum while cold water may result into
dizziness.

 Don’t use any type of acidic liquid in order to soften the ear wax.
 It is a common myth to put hot oil in the ears. But, it should be avoided as hot
oil can burn the skin inside the ear or ear drum, thereby causing infection.
 Omega 3 fatty acids are good for mitigating the problem of ear wax. So,
include walnuts, avocados, salmon, albacore and ground flax seed in your
diet.

Note: Doing a mouth cleanse helps the ear cleanse from within.