By Barry Keate
Barry Keate, has lived with tinnitus over 40 years and has published 150+ research articles on numerous aspects of tinnitus. He is an expert on the condition and a well-known advocate for those with tinnitus.
(Racool_studio/Freepik)
Hydrogen peroxide is a common household product useful for a variety of cleaning and health causes. Its unique properties make it an excellent disinfectant. The bubbles hydrogen peroxide creates can help break up other substances, such as earwax. However, the powerful nature of hydrogen peroxide comes with risks. Read below for more about how it is used, how it works, and how it can damage hearing.
What is Hydrogen Peroxide Used For?
Hydrogen peroxide is a cerumenolytic agent. In simpler terms, it does a really good job of breaking down earwax. It is a very common ingredient in many over-the-counter treatments for earwax impaction or earwax removal and can be very beneficial for those who struggle with these issues. However, many of these products use low potency or diluted hydrogen peroxide in order to ensure that it can be used safely.
Many healthcare professionals consider these at-home remedies for earwax-related issues to be safe. However, because they use hydrogen peroxide as a main ingredient, these products can lead to problems. Before attempting any at-home treatments, you should know how these products could affect your ears and hearing.
How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Work?
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent, which means that it releases tiny oxygen molecules that break up larger molecules, particularly bacteria and pathogens. This makes it an incredible disinfectant. However, when used incorrectly, it can break down non-threatening particles, wreaking havoc on the inner workings of the ear.
Why Is Hydrogen Peroxide Harmful?
In high concentrations, hydrogen peroxide’s disinfecting power can be corrosive. The chemical’s oxidizing power can be strong enough to cause blistering and burns on the skin. The inner ear is delicate. Its connection to hearing, balance, taste, and motor skills makes caring for it properly essential. Using hydrogen peroxide solutions in the ear too frequently can also cause irritation and inflammation.
Using a high concentration can lead to symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a bubbling or fizzing sensation. These symptoms can become even worse if hydrogen peroxide is put in an ear that has an infection or punctured eardrum.
How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Affect Hearing?
The mechanics of hearing are actually found deep within the ear, starting with delicate hairs in the inner ear. These hairs pick up sound waves and transmit them through nerves to the brain, which translates the signals into the sound we hear. Loud noises, head trauma, and, yes, highly potent chemicals can easily damage these hairs.
When damaged, the small hairs in your inner ear short-circuit. They may look for sound waves to process, even if there aren’t any there, and begin to fire signals through the nervous system and into the brain. This leads to the perception of sound even if there isn’t any, otherwise known as tinnitus. It may sound like ringing, buzzing, humming, or whooshing. If extensive enough damage occurs in the inner ear, including the damage that hydrogen peroxide can cause, hearing loss can result.
Can I Treat Hearing Damage Caused by Hydrogen Peroxide?
If you think you have hearing damage from using hydrogen peroxide, you should contact your doctor right away. They can help diagnose and treat any issues you have and get you on the road to recovery. If you develop permanent tinnitus from using hydrogen peroxide, there is sadly no cure. Thankfully, there are many available methods to help mitigate symptoms and their effect on your life.
A healthy diet that includes a wide variety of vitamins and minerals is essential for supporting your hearing health. Vitamin B12 and zinc are both critical to hearing health and should be part of a well-rounded diet. If you aren’t sure what to include in your diet or don’t have the time to find new recipes to incorporate new nutrients, you can try a tinnitus product like Arches Tinnitus Formula, a proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals that support hearing health and aid in tinnitus relief. It contains a high-potency form of Gingko Biloba for ear ringing that may be helpful in reducing your symptoms.
Hydrogen peroxide can be an effective remedy for many ailments, but should always be used with caution. It is important to prioritize your hearing health when it comes to at-home remedies, as the consequences can last a lifetime. If you have questions about any over-the-counter treatment or supplement, talk to a trusted healthcare provider.
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