Winter is a wonderful season filled with frosty air, holiday merriment, and cozy indoor get-togethers. However, the chilly months also bring distinctive challenges for your ears and the health of your hearing. When it’s chilly, protecting your hearing is crucial, whether you’re out in the freezing cold wind or dealing with the challenges of safeguarding your health from sickness.
Winter comes with added challenges for people who use hearing aids, but you can keep your hearing aids in good working condition by making use of a few protective measures.
Hearing and hearing aids can be negatively impacted by cold weather
There are a number of ways that your ears and hearing aids can be impacted by winter’s cold conditions. 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.
Your risk of getting an ear infection rises
Due to fluctuating temperatures and inside germ exposure, infections are more likely when it’s winter. Moisture inside of your ear can, when exposed to cold air, cool down quickly leaving your ears more vulnerable to an infection. The risk of respiratory illnesses is also increased by spending more time inside, heightening exposure to germs, bacteria, and viruses.
Hearing aid risks when it’s cold
Hearing aids can be damaged by moisture, and winter weather has lots of potential hazards. Snow, rain, and even condensation from cold air can result in malfunctions or damage. Without appropriate care, moisture can jeopardize the fragile electronics in hearing aids, decreasing their lifespan or functionality.
The ear canal can be aggravated by dry air
The outside winter air tends to be dry and inside air can also be dry because of heating systems. In the winter, the skin of your ear canal can dry out causing itching, flaking, and overall discomfort.
Safeguard your hearing this winter with these tips
Fortunately, a few simple strategies can help minimize the impact of winter on your ears and hearing aids. Implementing these habits will keep you comfortable and your hearing devices functioning optimally.
Keep your hearing aids safe and dry
In order to preserve your auditory activation, it’s important that you wear your hearing aids daily, even if it’s snowing or raining.
Here are some key ways to protect them:
- Use a dehumidifying storage compartment overnight to get rid of any moisture.
- Quick temperature changes can cause condensation to accumulate so avoid them whenever possible.
- Consider utilizing a protective cover or sleeve for your hearing aids to safeguard them from snow and wind.
Continue to be active socially
Although it may be tempting to stay inside and isolated during the cold months, your hearing health depends on you remaining involved socially. Engaging in conversations and going to social events helps keep your brain’s auditory processing strong. Hearing retention and mental function can even be preserved by seeing a movie or having coffee with friends.
Maintain good ear hygiene
Keeping clean and dry ears is crucial during winter.
Here are a number of key tips:
- Avoid using cotton swabs, which can push wax deeper into the ear canal and increase the danger of injury.
- Gently dry your ears with a towel after exposure to moisture.
- If needed, clean around the ear openings with a soft cloth and warm water.
Manage winter illnesses to protect your ears
Since colds and flu are common in winter, take extra precautions to avoid infections that can impact your ears:
- Stay hydrated and practice a healthy diet to support your immune system.
- Think about getting a flu vaccine and wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces if necessary.
- Clean your hands frequently to decrease exposure to germs.
For advice custom-tailored to your needs, contact us
If you detect increased ear discomfort, frequent ear infections, or issues with your hearing aids, reach out to us. We can review your concerns, provide tailored solutions, and ensure your devices are winter-ready. Minor problems can be detected early before they escalate allowing you to be ready for the challenges of the season.
Call us today to schedule an appointment.
