Digital Social Hour Podcast Summary

Title: Hearing Loss from Concerts? The Truth Revealed | Dr. Emily Taylor
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Dr. Emily Taylor, Audiologist
Release Date: September 16, 2024

In episode #722 of "Digital Social Hour," host Sean Kelly sits down with Dr. Emily Taylor, an experienced audiologist, to discuss ear health, the myths surrounding earwax removal, and the impact of loud concerts on hearing. The conversation is rich with professional insights, personal anecdotes, and practical advice for maintaining optimal ear health.

1. Debunking Earwax Myths

Ear Candles Are Ineffective and Dangerous

Dr. Taylor opens the discussion by addressing the popular yet misleading practice of using ear candles for earwax removal.

• Explanation of Ear Candles:

  • [00:37] "The theory behind it is that, I mean, I guess it's like a holistic approach to ear cleaning. And you basically light this candle while one end is in your ear."

• Demonstration and Debunking:

  • Dr. Taylor brings an ear candle to the podcast to demonstrate its ineffectiveness.
  • [00:49] "It sounds really safe, right? Like big fire next to head. ... But no, it does not work. It is not safe, it is a waste of money and it's dangerous."
  • Upon lighting the candle, they reveal that it doesn’t remove earwax but rather leaves a mess inside, reinforcing the dangers of this method.
  • [09:35] "That's just part of the candle. Literally. It's done nothing. It's just dangerous."

2. Proper Earwax Management

Natural Self-Cleaning Mechanism

Dr. Taylor emphasizes that most people do not require professional earwax removal as ears have a natural self-cleaning process.

• Avoiding Unnecessary Interventions:

  • [02:29] "Most people will never need a professional ear cleaning in their whole life. ... The ear actually tries to self clean."

• Risks of Using Q-Tips:

  • Dr. Taylor warns against the common use of Q-tips, highlighting how they can push wax deeper.
  • [02:45] "When you see people using Q tips or buying these products online, like that is dangerous and actually causing more of a problem."

• Recommendation for Ear Cameras:

  • [02:29] "I highly recommend everybody own an ear camera at home... If I asked you, like, what's inside of your ears right now, would you be able to tell me?"

3. Impact of Earwax Buildup on Hearing

Temporary and Potential Permanent Hearing Loss

Excessive earwax can lead to significant hearing issues, some of which might become permanent.

• Effects on Hearing:

  • [02:45] "So when you have a bunch of earwax, does that affect your hearing abilities? It can totally affect your hearing abilities."

• Personal Anecdote:

  • Dr. Taylor shares a case of a musician who used earwax as hearing protection, inadvertently causing a full ear canal blockage.
  • [03:04] "I have a video of that. Yeah. How damaging are concerts on the ears?"

4. Hearing Loss from Loud Concerts

Dangerous Decibel Levels and Safe Exposure

The conversation shifts to the dangers of loud music, especially in concert settings.

• Decibel Awareness:

  • [03:32] "The average concert is well over 100 decibels, and you can only safely be in 100 decibels for, like, five to 10 minutes."

• Risk of Permanent Damage:

  • [03:58] "You can for sure [get permanent hearing loss]. Rings in the ears is a number one side effect as well."

5. Importance of Hearing Protection

Custom vs. Foam Plugs

Dr. Taylor advocates for the use of proper hearing protection at concerts to prevent hearing damage.

• Recommendations:

  • [04:04] "Wear hearing protection. I have, like, I'm obsessed with custom hearing protection."
  • [04:10] "If it's the right kind of plug... the music actually sounds better because it's bringing it a little softer and you're hearing everything properly."

• Suggested Brands:

  • [04:31] "Loop is a cool brand. Eargasm."

6. Personal Experience with Tinnitus

Living with Permanent Tinnitus

Dr. Taylor shares her personal battle with tinnitus, a common consequence of noise-induced hearing damage.

• Tinnitus and Its Effects:
  • [04:53] "That's the damage from the noise. You are hearing those hair cells in your inner ear screaming at you."
  • [05:09] "I have tinnitus 24/7 from noise exposure from high school."

7. Advances in Hearing Aids

Modern Features and Aesthetics

The discussion moves to the evolution of hearing aids and their increasing acceptance.

• Innovative Features:

  • [06:04] "Permanent hearing aids can be insanely amazing nowadays. They are Bluetooth. They are rechargeable."

• Overcoming Stigmas:

  • [06:23] "People assume that by wearing plugs in your ears, you’re going to miss the music. But ... custom plugs make it better."
  • [06:25] "You can't see them. ... Like, nobody's going to see these."

8. Live Demonstration of Ear Wax Removal

Showing the Ineffectiveness of Ear Candles

In a live segment, Dr. Taylor and Sean Kelly demonstrate the ineffectiveness of ear candles and proceed to clean Sean’s ears using professional tools.

• Ear Candle Demonstration:

  • [07:17] "We have debunked that here and I hope people just learn from that."

• Professional Ear Cleaning:

  • Using the Earigator, Dr. Taylor removes significant earwax from Sean, showcasing the effectiveness of proper ear cleaning.
  • [12:15] "Wow. I can hear so much better."

9. Audiological Testing and Procedures

Comprehensive Hearing Assessments

Dr. Taylor outlines the various tests conducted during a hearing assessment.

• Types of Tests:

  • [05:27] "We always start with looking in the ears... tympanometry... otoacoustic emission testing... speech testing in background noise."

• Detecting Underlying Issues:

  • [05:27] "I have a lot of patients come in with ADD... feeling like they have hearing loss which might be related to ADHD."

10. Starting and Managing an Audiology Practice

Challenges and Rewards

Dr. Taylor discusses her journey in establishing her own practice and managing patient relationships.

• Opening a Practice at a Young Age:

  • [19:08] "I opened my own practice right out of school at the age of 23."

• Handling Difficult Patients:

  • [19:12] "Everyone signs a waiver... we can ask them to leave the practice if they use inappropriate language."

11. Insurance and Accessibility

Navigating Healthcare Coverage

The conversation touches on the complexities of insurance coverage for audiological services.

• Coverage Details:

  • [20:12] "Insurance will cover an annual hearing test. ... They'll cover ear cleanings if it's with an ENT. Otherwise, it’s out of pocket."

• Cost of Services:

  • [20:38] "We charge $165 a cleaning session. People are super happy to pay it."

12. Leveraging Social Media for Ear Health Awareness

Building an Online Presence

Dr. Taylor highlights her active role on social media platforms to educate the public about ear health.

• Clean Ear Club Initiative:

  • [21:03] "I started something called the Clean Ear Club... with the irrigator."

• Engaging Content:

  • [13:54] "People tag me in gross videos. I get to do commentary on them."

13. Addressing Chiropractic Myths Related to Ear Health

Clarifying Misconceptions

Dr. Taylor expresses skepticism about chiropractic methods purported to aid ear health, emphasizing the lack of legitimacy.

• Chiropractic Claims:

  • [22:17] "I don't think it's legit... It looked painful."

• Potential Dangers:

  • [23:22] "Some of them are a little extreme. ... There have been paralysis cases."

14. Promoting Hearing Protection at Concerts

Advocating for Ear Safety

Concluding the episode, Dr. Taylor shares her proactive efforts to promote hearing protection among concert-goers.

• Awareness Campaign:

  • [24:03] "I really love when people our age are wearing hearing protection to concerts."

• Grassroots Initiatives:

  • [24:22] "I walked around [a festival] carrying a sign that said, show me your hearing protection and I'll pay you."

Notable Quotes:

• "Knowledge is power in this case. So I think every home should have that ear camera."
  — Dr. Emily Taylor [02:29]

• "Most people will never need a professional ear cleaning in their whole life."
  — Dr. Emily Taylor [02:29]

• "It sounds really safe, right? Like big fire next to head... But no, it does not work. It is not safe, it is a waste of money and it's dangerous."
  — Dr. Emily Taylor [00:58]

• "Hearing aids are, like, hot right now."
  — Dr. Emily Taylor [06:08]

• "We have one shot at hearing, so we might as well protect it."
  — Dr. Emily Taylor [24:35]

Conclusion:

In this informative episode of "Digital Social Hour," Dr. Emily Taylor provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of ear health, debunking common myths, and highlighting the importance of protecting one's hearing, especially in environments with high noise levels like concerts. Her professional insights, combined with personal experiences, offer valuable guidance for maintaining long-term auditory health.

For More Information:

• Clean Ear Club: thecleanearclub.com
• Follow Dr. Emily Taylor on Social Media: [Insert Social Media Handles]

Ensure your ears' health by following the expert advice shared by Dr. Emily Taylor on the latest episode of "Digital Social Hour."