Winter is a beautiful season filled with crisp air, holiday cheer, and cozy indoor gatherings. Your ears and hearing, however, can face some real challenges during the nippy winter months. When it’s chilly, protecting your hearing is crucial, whether you’re out in the bitter cold wind or dealing with the challenges of protecting your health from sickness.
For people who rely on hearing aids, winter poses additional concerns, but with a few hands-on measures, you can protect your hearing and devices throughout the season.
Hearing and hearing aids can be negatively affected by cold weather
Winter’s cold temperatures and severe conditions can impact your ears and hearing devices in a number of ways. You will be better able to safeguard your hearing health against the impact of cold weather if you have a clear understanding of the risks.
Greater risk of ear infections
Winter weather often results in ear infections because of temperature fluctuations and increased exposure to indoor germs. Moisture inside of your ear can, when exposed to cold air, quickly cool down leaving your ears more vulnerable to an infection. Additionally, spending more time inside heightens exposure to viruses and bacteria, raising the danger of respiratory illnesses that can impact ear health.
Hearing aid risks when it’s cold
You’re more likely to experience wet weather conditions in the winter which can expose your hearing aids to potentially damaging moisture. Damage and malfunctions can be the consequence of rain, snow, and condensation from cold air. Without proper care, moisture can damage the fragile electronics in hearing aids, decreasing their lifespan or functionality.
Dry air and ear canal discomfort
The outdoor winter air tends to be dry and inside air can also be dry due to heating systems. During the cold months, the skin of your ear canal can dry out causing itching, flaking, and overall discomfort.
Guidelines to safeguard your hearing this winter
Luckily, a few basic strategies can help decrease the impact of winter on your ears and hearing aids. You will keep your hearing aids in top condition and you will be more comfortable by putting these strategies into practice.
Keep hearing aids dry and safe
In order to preserve your auditory activation, it’s crucial that you wear your hearing aids daily, even if it’s snowing or raining.
Here are some key ways to protect them:
- You can shield your device from wind and snow by utilizing a protective sleeve or cover.
- Eliminate moisture accumulation by keeping your hearing aids in a dehumidifying compartment overnight.
- Rapid temperature changes can cause condensation to build-up so avoid them whenever possible.
Stay social and active
Although it may be tempting to stay inside and secluded during the cold months, your hearing health depends on you remaining involved socially. Participating in conversations and going to social events helps keep your brain’s auditory processing strong. Even simple activities like meeting friends for coffee or watching a movie can boost cognitive function and hearing retention.
It’s important to maintain good ear hygiene
Keeping clean and dry ears is essential during winter.
Here are a number of key tips:
- Avoid utilizing cotton swabs, which can jam wax deeper into the ear canal and increase the risk of injury.
- Use a soft cloth and warm water to clean around the ear opening if needed.
- After you have been exposed to moisture, dry your ears gently with a towel.
Safeguard your ears by controlling your winter illnesses
Since colds and flu are common in winter, take extra precautions to avoid infections that can impact your ears:
- In order to reduce your exposure to germs, wash your hands regularly.
- Stay hydrated and practice a healthy diet to bolster your immune system.
- If necessary, wear a mask in crowded places and consider getting a flu vaccine.
For advice custom-tailored to your needs, contact us
If you detect increased ear discomfort, frequent ear infections, or issues with your hearing aids, get in touch with us. We will get your hearing aids ready for winter, offer personalized solutions, and assess any concerns you may have. Minor issues can be identified early before they escalate allowing you to be ready for the challenges of the season.
Call us today to schedule an appointment.
