Protecting Your Ears in the Winter

We constantly go over ways to protect your ears and possible threats to your hearing. However, you may not be aware of the dangers of winter on your hearing and the health of your ears. We have all felt the numbing coldness on a cold day when we forget to wear a hat or protect our ears. But have you ever thought about how that cold weather is affecting your ears? Here are 3 ways the cold weather is affecting your ears!

Ear Infections

Did you know that wintertime brings a higher risk for ear infections? This is because less blood is circulated in the cold, as well as a greater risk for irritation and trapped moisture or bacteria. Infected material builds up behind the eardrum and blocks the Eustachian tube, which causes inflammation.

You can reduce your risk of ear infections by keeping your ears warm and dry during the winter and treating colds and cases of flu immediately. Make sure to see a doctor immediately if you have an ear infection to prevent hearing damage.

“Surfer’s Ear”

When the temperature gets colder, the risk of ringing in the ears and hearing loss increases. This is because there is a higher risk of rogue bones growing in the ear canal, and ear wax hardening in your ears.

The bone growth in the ear canal is known as surfer’s ear because this condition is fairly common among those who surf because they usually spend a lot of time in colder water. Surfer’s ear can potentially lead to hearing loss and also results in constant pain and ringing in the ears.

Hats, scarves, and earmuffs are no longer just a fashion accessory, but necessary for shielding your ears from cold weather.

Protecting your hearing aids

If you already experience hearing loss and have a hearing aid, the cold weather can also have an effect on your ears. Individuals with hearing aids usually produce more hardened earwax in their ears because of the object in their ear. When earwax builds up in your ears, it leads to earaches, infections, and tinnitus.

Harsh winter weather such as wind, rain, snow, and freezing temperature can also shorten the battery life of your hearing aid.

If you want more information on protecting your ears or hearing aids in the remaining cold winter months, please reach out!