Health Science | Pay attention to protecting your ears when swimming in summer, be sure to do these 2 things!

Recently, the Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Taikang Xianlin Gulou Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine has treated many patients with ear pain, ear tightness, and ear pus caused by swimming or playing in water. Among them, there are many child patients who experience unbearable ear pain after playing in the water and seek help at the hospital.

one

How to protect your ears while swimming?

Firstly, it is best to check for large earwax in your ears before swimming. If water enters the external auditory canal while swimming, it may cause earwax to become swollen and block the canal, resulting in a feeling of stuffiness in the ears.

At the same time, the water in the swimming pool can also carry bacteria and microorganisms, which may cause inflammation. It's best to wear earplugs. Isolate the ears from the pool water.

Secondly, beginners should try to avoid making big movements when swimming, such as diving. At the moment of diving, if the posture is incorrect, the pressure will be too high, causing vibrations and slaps to the ears, which may lead to ear pain. At the same time, sudden watering of the nasal cavity may lead to improper breathing and changes in pressure inside and outside the ear, which can then harm the ear.

Do not subject your ears directly to the impact of the water surface to prevent the rupture of the eardrum. Once water enters the ears and nose during swimming or playing in water, if it cannot be treated by oneself and symptoms such as ear pain, ear congestion, fluid flow, hearing loss, tinnitus, etc. occur, it is necessary to seek medical attention at the ear, nose, and throat department of the hospital in a timely manner.

two

What is the structure of the ear?

The external auditory canal is a curved tube that runs from the external auditory meatus to the tympanic membrane, with a total length of approximately 2.1-2.5cm. The outer 1/3 is cartilage, and the inner 2/3 is bone. The inner surface of the external auditory canal is covered with a layer of skin that tightly adheres to the underlying cartilage membrane or periosteum, making it difficult to move. The skin feels rich in nerve endings, and when suffering from boils, there is abnormal pain. The skin in the cartilage contains hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sebaceous glands, which are similar to sweat glands. Their secretions are sebaceous glands and have a protective effect on the ear canal.

The tympanic membrane is located on the inner side of the external auditory canal, with a diameter of about 2cm. It is a thin oval shaped translucent membrane that serves as the boundary between the external auditory canal and the middle ear (tympanic cavity). When observed under otoscopy, the concave surface of the tympanic membrane is directed towards the outer ear canal, with a conical depression at its center and the apex being the tympanic membrane navel. The tympanic membrane axis, like an umbrella handle, runs perpendicular to the tympanic membrane through the tympanic membrane navel. When it extends outward, it also moves forward and downward, like a radar or satellite that collects signals from the front and outer sides of the head (sound waves).

Appointment Consultation

Phone: 025-85358120-69374

Mobile phone: 18502527356

Location: Third Floor, Outpatient Department, Phase I of the Hospital

Department Introduction

There are currently 5 senior experts in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Taikang Xianlin Gulou Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, including 2 senior experts and 3 associate senior experts. There are 8 consultation rooms and 12 specialized treatment rooms in the outpatient department, with an annual outpatient volume of about 50000 people. A sleep diagnosis and treatment center and a dizziness diagnosis and treatment center have been established. The department has advanced medical diagnosis and treatment equipment, such as Olympus high-definition electronic nasopharyngoscope, STORZ TP100 electronic endoscope system, Schlieffen plasma surgical system ATOM I VIEW 31 surgical microscope, Leifkaier endoscopic camera system, Ertingmei diagnostic audiometer and acoustic impedance meter, Ruisuo Neuro Audio otoacoustic emission and evoked potential amplifier, Ruisuo benign paroxysmal positional vertigo diagnostic instrument, Danish Ertingmei type1085 nystagmus scanner, GMinstruments NR6/A1 nasal resistance/acoustic emission instrument, Ruisuo Neuro Audio olfactory diagnostic wand, ATMOS Ling WAVES noise analysis software, Wanman somno check micro polysomnography analysis system, and Philips polysomnography analysis system, etc.