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Everything You Need to Know About Your Ears

April 2025
Chava Pearl Lansky • Illustrations by Kingsley Nebechi

You might only think about your ears when you dress them up with earrings or stick earbuds in them. But they’re actually incredibly delicate and complex organs. Without them you wouldn’t be able to hear your favorite song, the birds in the trees, or your best friend’s gossip. Your ears are also responsible for your sense of balance. Have you ever spun in a circle, then felt dizzy after you stopped moving? That’s because the fluid in your inner ears is still sloshing around! Here’s how to make sure your ears stay healthy and safe.

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Hang On To Your Hearing

You hear a lot of loud noises every day. Follow these tips to protect your ears. 

1. The 60/60 Rule: Earbuds can cause hearing damage over time. Doctors recommend using them at no more than 60 percent of the maximum volume and for no longer than 60 minutes at a time.

2. Earbuds vs. Headphones: If you use earbuds for longer than an hour, try going old school by wearing headphones instead. 

3. Ear Protection: Love live music? Wear earplugs when you go to concerts or if you play in a band. You should also wear earplugs or earmuffs if you’re mowing the lawn or using power tools. 

How Your Ears Work

  • THE OUTER EAR (pinna) is the skin-covered part where sounds enter the ear.
  • THE MIDDLE EAR contains the eardrum and three tiny bones called ossicles, which transfer sounds to the inner ear.
  • THE INNER EAR includes the cochlea, which processes sounds and sends signals to the brain. It also contains canals filled with fluid that help you keep your balance.  

12.5% of youth age 6-19 in the U.S. have permanent damage to their hearing caused by excessive noise exposure. 


Sources: kidshealth.org, cdc.gov

Quiz

1

True or False? Noise-canceling headphones are better for your hearing than regular headphones.

True! You don’t have to turn the volume as high when you wear  noise-canceling earbuds or headphones. That helps protect your hearing. Just be careful in public. They can make you unaware of what’s going on around you, increasing your chances of an accident. 
Icon of Q-tips

True or False? You should clean your ears with cotton swabs. 

False! Earwax is natural. It protects your ears from dust, dirt, and germs that can cause infections. Inserting cotton swabs into your ears can push earwax deeper in and cause injuries. Instead, gently clean your ears with soap and water. A doctor can safely remove any excess wax. 
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