People often think of audiologists as “the hearing people,” but here’s a little secret: sometimes we feel more like fortune tellers. Why? Because when we take a quick look inside your ears, we can often spot little clues about your lifestyle, hobbies, and habits. No crystal ball needed – just our trusty otoscope and an expertly trained eye! Sometimes, we can take clients by surprise when guessing what they like to get up to just by looking in their ears!
Here are some of the things your ears might be quietly telling us:
The Open Water Swimmer
If you’re into cold water swimming, surfing, or diving, your ears will sometimes grow tiny bony bumps inside the canal – something we call exostoses or “surfer’s ear.” It’s your ear’s way of protecting itself from the chill. So if we ask, “Do you swim a lot?” it’s not a lucky guess – we can actually see the evidence!
The Music Lover
Love your gigs, festivals, or cranking up the volume? Your ears can give the game away. Whether it’s early signs of tinnitus (that annoying ringing) or little patterns in your hearing test, we can usually tell if you’ve been spending a lot of time around loud sound.
The Frequent Flyer
Travel for work or pleasure? Years of pressure changes from flying (or diving) can leave subtle marks on your eardrums. Sometimes we’ll see scarring or signs that your ears have had to equalise a lot over the years. It’s like your ears are keeping a travel diary!
The Allergy Sufferer
Blocked nose? Hay fever season your worst nightmare? Your ears might back you up on that. We can sometimes see fluid or a slightly dull eardrum that suggests your ears and sinuses haven’t been getting along too well.
The Earphone Enthusiast
If you’re a big fan of earbuds, your ears might let us know. We often see wax shaped around earphones or even a bit of irritation from constant use. Don’t worry – you’re not alone!
The Cotton Bud Cleaner
Think you’re being helpful by cleaning your ears with cotton buds? Your ears usually tell on you! Wax that’s been pushed right up against the eardrum is a big clue. (And for the record, your ears clean themselves – we promise! As Trevor, our Lead Audiologist, always says, “You should never put anything smaller than your elbow, in your ear”!)
The Lifestyle Clues
It’s not just what we see in your ears that gives us clues. At your regular six-monthly check-ups, your audiologist can also review information recorded by your hearing aids. Modern devices can log the types of environments you spend time in – for example, how many hours you’ve been in quiet home settings versus busy backgrounds like cafés, theatres, or restaurants. These insights help us understand your lifestyle and fine-tune your hearing aids so they support you exactly where you need it most.
Your Ears Tell a Story
We like to joke about being fortune tellers, but what we’re really doing is piecing together the story your ears are telling us – so we can keep them healthy. Every little clue helps us give the right advice to protect your hearing now and for the future.
So next time you pop in for an ear check, don’t be surprised if we seem to know a little more about your lifestyle than you expected (we’re not stalking you!). Your ears are chatty things—they just need someone who knows how to listen.
Book your FREE ear health check with us today and let your ears do the talking!
