Just how stretchy are your earlobes? And if you’re going for a unique jewelry look, can you stretch them to the point where it actually impacts your hearing? Dr. Sara Hanley, Au.D. gives an overview on the interesting subject of lobe gauging. Watch more Q&As, then schedule your appointment with us at either our Bloomington or Pontiac locations.
Hi, I’m Dr. Sara Hanley at Bloomington-Normal Audiology, and welcome to I Hear You, where the audiologists at BNA answer your hearing-related questions. Steven in Normal asks, “What is lobe gauging? Why do people do it? Can it affect your hearing?” It’s a great question, Steven. Lobe gauging is also called ear-stretching, and it’s the process of stretching the pierced holes in your earlobe. When you stretch your earlobes, it allows people to wear a unique type of jewelry called spacers or gauges. Some people like to stretch their ears because of cultural traditions, while others just like the look of it. I would compare lobe gauging to tattoos. It’s really a personal preference that gives us a specific aesthetic, but it is important to note, again like tattoos, once it’s done, it can be hard to go back to the way it was. Luckily, in regards to our hearing, earlobe gauging does not impact your hearing in any way, since our earlobe is not a direct part of our hearing function. So if you are interested or considering earlobe gauging, rest assured it will not affect your hearing. Hope that helps! If you have more questions, let us know. I’m Dr. Sara Hanley at Bloomington-Normal Audiology, and we’re ‘hear’ for you.