5 Ways to Keep your Hearing Healthy this Winter

Snow and ice bring unwelcome problems for people, such as catching cold or slipping on ice, but with severe weather comes less obvious hazards which affect your hearing health. This winter, when you venture into the cold, spare a thought for your ears.

1: Noise Levels

Once the blizzard has stopped, the snow blowers come out. These generate over 100 dBs which could cause permanent damage to your hearing. If you operate a snow blower it is essential to protect your hearing, just as you would operate any noisy machinery. Wearing earplugs or noise-reducing headphones are musts.

2: Ear Infections

Ear infections are more common in winter, because a sore throat narrows the Eustachian tube that equalizes the pressure between ear and throat. Bacteria are trapped in the inner ear which results in infection, increased pressure and the unwelcome pain of ear ache.

 Also, in chilly weather the circulation to the ears reduces, meaning the immune system is less able to fight infection. Wearing a hat to keep your ears warm is a help, as is eating a healthy diet to keep your immune system in tip-top condition.

3: Extreme Cold

If you are regularly outdoors in the extreme cold, for example if you love to ski, there is risk of condition known as “surfer’s ear.”

In response to the cold, small bony nodules develop around the ear canal and this new bone causes narrowing of the ear canal, which impedes hearing and can increase the risk of infections. Again it’s vital to keep your ears warm, so that woolly hat is looking increasingly essential.

4: Poor Balance

Hearing problems can be associated with balance issues, so be doubly cautious when you venture outside in icy conditions. Be especially alert for icy steps and hidden black ice, to avoid the risk of falling.

5: Battery Life

Think “winter” and think rain, wind, and snow. Unfortunately the cold and moisture are a bad combination when it comes to the battery life of your hearing device. Most devices are not waterproof and if winter dampness seeps into the housing it can shorten battery life or even cause degradation of vital electrical components.

Your best strategy is to protect it from rain and insulate the device from severe cold. This is as simple as carrying an umbrella in the rain or wearing a woolly hat. However, be aware that even wearing a hat can be problematic. If you build up a sweat clearing snow off the drive, it’s possible the perspiration will condense inside the hearing aid.

This being the case, the solution is to buy a “sweatband” for your behind-the-ear device. These are moisture-resistant sleeves that cover the body of the hearing aid and insulate it from sweat and rain. They are inexpensive to purchase and are a great investment in the longevity of your device.