Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a client about preventing hearing loss from trauma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

-Keep your mouth open when sneezing
-Block one nostril when blowing your nose
-Use an ear wick candle to remove excess cerumen from the canal
-Lubricate cotton-tipped applicators with mineral oil to clean the ear canal

Answer 1

To prevent hearing loss from trauma, a client should be taught to avoid loud sounds or wear ear protection, sneeze with an open mouth, blow the nose gently, and avoid using ear wick candles or cotton-tipped applicators for cleaning the ears.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent hearing loss from trauma, the nurse should teach a client several critical practices. Firstly, it is essential to avoid loud sounds or to protect the ears using earplugs or other protectors since loud sounds can permanently damage hair cells in the cochlea. Secondly, when sneezing, keep the mouth open to reduce pressure in the sinuses and ears. Thirdly, when blowing the nose, do it gently without blocking one nostril, as this can cause pressure changes in the ear canal. Contrary to some beliefs, using ear wick candles and cotton-tipped applicators, even with mineral oil, is not recommended as these can push cerumen further into the canal, leading to impaction, or potentially damage the delicate structures of the ear. Instead, if there is a concern about excess cerumen, the client should seek professional medical help.