“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isaiah 55:3)

The ear is that organ of the human body that detects sounds. The ear not only receives sounds, but it also aids in balance and body position. While our ears are of utmost importance to us, we should strive to take good care of this vital organ. Here are a few tips that can help you to keep your ears healthy and clean.
How to Clean Your Ears

• Always clean your ears with extra care. This includes wiping the outer ear with a bathe rag or tissue. Many of us like to use bobby pins, matches sticks or sharp pointed objects to clean the ears. This should not be done as this can damage your ears.
•  Never put anything into your ears smaller than your elbow. Q-tips may be used to clean on the outside of the ear but should never be used to clean on the inside.
•  Get into the habit of drying your ears properly after bathing. This should be done for both the inside, outside and around the back of the ears.
• If your ears are pierced, clean your earrings and earlobes regularly with rubbing alcohol
• Earwax is the ear’s mechanism for self cleaning. If you have a build-up of wax that is blocking your hearing, see your doctor to have it removed. Never try to remove it your self as you may damage your ear.

How Illnesses and Medications Affects Your Ears

•  Heavy liquid flowing from the ear is not normal and usually suggests that there is an infection. If this has ever happened to you. See your doctor immediately.
• Reduce the risk of ear infections by treating upper respiratory infections promptly. Such infections includes ears, nose and throat infections.
• Some illnesses and medical conditions can affect your hearing. If you experience sudden hearing loss or have constant noise in your ears or head, please see an ear doctor immediately.

Your Ears and Noise

• When using stereos and home theater systems, avoid high volume levels. If you think it is too loud, it probably is.
• When using personal sound systems, the volume should be at a comfortable level. If someone else can hear what you are listening to, the volume is too high.
• Remove the headphones from time to time to give your ears a rest.
• Keep automobile sound systems at sensible volumes. This can help you avoid hearing damage and allow you to hear and yield to emergency vehicles.

Remember, once hearing is damaged, it often times cannot be restored and too loud for too long is wrong. Start taking good care of your ears today.