Ways To Protect Your Hearing During Winter

Have you ever thought about how to keep your hearing safe during the winter? This time of year, the cold forces you to put on a coat, boots, and gloves every time you leave the house. However, when we venture outside into the icy cold temps, many of us neglect to cover our ears. Numerous people lack awareness of how crucial it is to protect your ears throughout the chilly winter months contributes to the issue. In the winter, ear protection can aid in avoiding problems like ear pain and tinnitus. To experience a healthier winter, you can also take precautions to 

How Do Your Ears React to Cold Weather?

Our ears' nerves are more vulnerable to the cold. Since our ears are typically the first body part of experiencing cold, prolonged exposure to the elements without ear protection can cause them to hurt quite a bit. The issue can worsen with a lot of wind or rain since it irritates our ears. If you already have ear problems, winter conditions might be very challenging. Some people have tinnitus when the temperature is cold; this may be because of the complicated causes of alterations in our blood circulation. Some hearing aids may also experience issues because of it. In shallow temperatures, batteries might deplete more quickly, and condensation within hearing aids can damage the circuitry. The fact that colds and other diseases spread more readily throughout the winter contributes to the increased likelihood of ear trouble. 

Dry off and keep your ears 

Have you ever observed that the first portion of your body to become chilly is always your ears? It is because, similar to your nose, your ears are primarily made of cartilage and contain very little insulating fat. They become colder more quickly than other portions of your body, which increases their risk when venturing outside in the chilly winter weather. Additionally, winter weather that includes rain or snow exposes your ears to additional moisture, increasing the risk of infection. Wear a toque, earmuffs, or scarf when going outside in the winter to keep your ears warm and dry.

Attention snowboarders and skiers: exostosis

If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, it's crucial to take extra care to protect your ears. Exostosis, a rare disorder when your body promotes bone development in the ear canal to shut out the cold, can raise your chance of developing if you are frequently exposed to extreme cold and wet conditions. As a result of the clogged ear canal brought on by this increased growth, you run a higher chance of developing an ear infection. Due to the frequent exposure of surfers to cold circumstances, this condition is also known as a surfer's ear. Skiers and snowboarders who frequently expose their ears to cold and wet conditions should also be concerned about this.

Avoid loud winter noises by wearing ear protection.

Snow and the requirement to use your snowblower are two things that come along with winter. If exposed for long enough, the noise from a snowblower, which can approach 100 decibels, can seriously harm your hearing. On the other hand, continual exposure to loud noises from outside machinery can damage your hearing. If you must use a snowblower, operate it briefly and wear appropriate hearing protection. Your ears will receive the necessary precaution if you wear suitable earplugs or earmuffs. If you spend a lot of time in noisy surroundings, consider getting custom-made earplugs, even if you can buy simple earplugs at any drugstore. Numerous online hearing tests may be viewed on various platforms, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. Still, they can be a helpful approach to letting you know that your hearing may require additional attention from a hearing specialist.

Maintain Your Hearing Aids With Extra Care

Your hearing aids' battery may drain faster than usual in the cold. If your hearing aids aren't rechargeable, it's a good idea to pay special attention to the charge over the winter and store a few backup pairs of batteries in a warm, dry spot. Your hearing aids may become moistened due to the chilly weather. Wearing a hat will keep your hearing aids warm and dry. You can also put them in a dehumidifier to get rid of any extra moisture.

Beware of moisture

Again, one of the primary dangers you should guard your hearing aids against throughout the winter is moisture. Wearing a hat or scarf when going outside will cover your hearing aids from getting too much water from rain or snow, in addition to safeguarding your ears. It can be challenging to keep your hearing aids dry. Therefore, it's also crucial to wipe away any moisture that may have accumulated to prevent corrosion. When you return inside, make a routine of checking your hearing aids and wiping off any water as soon as you can.

Conclusion

While the winter might increase the risk to your hearing, taking precautions does not have to be complicated. Wearing earplugs when using noisy snowblowers, regular maintenance on your hearing aids, and avoiding exposure to extreme cold are all ways to keep your ears warm. These are the four best strategies for wintertime hearing protection.