Ear Care

Your ears help you hear sounds all around you. They also help you keep your balance. Ear care means doing things to keep your ears working well. It is easy to take care of your ears every day.

Keeping Ears Clean

Wash the outside of your ears with soap and water. Never stick anything inside your ear, not even a cotton swab. Your ears clean themselves on the inside. Earwax is normal and helps protect your ears. If your ears hurt or feel full, tell a grown-up.

Protecting Your Hearing

Loud sounds can hurt your ears over time. Turn down the volume on headphones and TVs. Wear ear plugs at loud places like concerts or fireworks shows. If a sound is so loud you have to shout, it is too loud. Once hearing is lost, it is hard to get back.

Fun Facts

• Your ears help you keep your balance when you walk.
• Ears never stop growing your whole life.
• Elephants have the biggest ears of any animal.

Did You Know?

The smallest bone in your body is in your ear, and it is called the stapes or stirrup bone.