The sounds of the season  

This season may bring to mind images of the silent majesty of a winter’s morn, but there are plenty of loud and potentially harmful sounds associated with this time of year. It’s important to be aware of when and where you’re most likely to encounter hazardous noise levels so that you can protect your ears. 
Here are a few seasonal sounds that could warrant ear protection: 

• Loud toys  
• Holiday concerts 
• Carolers (especially if indoors) 
• Airports and airplanes 
• Snowblowers 
• Snowplows 
• Fireworks 
• Party poppers 
• Power tools (for indoor DIY projects)

With many activities moving indoors and out of the cold, noise can easily become a bigger issue. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to either move to a quieter space or use quality earplugs or earmuffs to dampen loud sounds. 

The impact of cold weather on ears

The chilly air can be dangerous to your ears in a number of ways, not the least of which is the threat of congestion, ear infections, and similar illnesses or infections that put pressure on the eardrum.  
The change in barometric pressure (also known as atmospheric pressure) can also lead to discomfort and agitate existing issues and worsening of hearing loss. 
Frequent and prolonged unprotected exposure to cold air can even lead to the development of exostosis, which are bony growths in the ear canal, sometimes also known as “surfer’s ear.” These growths make it more difficult for the ears to drain water, wax, and dirt, which may lead to hearing loss and make ear infections more likely. 

How to protect ears from cold air

The best thing you can do for your ears this winter is wear warm headgear that adequately covers your outer ears and ear canals. The tips of your ears may be where you feel the cold most noticeably, but the cold air getting into the inner ear is more likely to cause damage to your hearing.  
Moisture can also be dangerous to your inner ears, so be sure to wear waterproof material if you go out in rain or heavy snow. If you’re wearing ear covers that soak up moisture, be sure to swap them out for dry ones as soon as you can. If you feel like there may be some moisture in your ear canals, avoid stuffing foreign objects in there, as that can cause more damage. If tilting your head and pulling on your earlobe doesn’t work, you can try to coax water out with a dry tissue or use a blow dryer on the lowest cool setting. 

Boost Your Immune System

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Strengthening your immune system can help you avoid common holiday season illnesses like cold and flu — or at least lessen their severity.  
Difficult as it may be, especially this time of year, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial to a healthy immune system. We’ve shared a few ear-healthy holiday recipes that should be a great addition to anyone’s holiday cookbook. 
Staying hydrated is also important to your health during the winter. In cold weather you may not feel as thirsty and can become dehydrated without realizing it. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your body replenish necessary fluids — including the ones in your inner ears.  

Hearing Aid Care in Cold Weather

Wintry weather can be dangerous for hearing aids as well. The chief concern is moisture. Try to protect your hearing aids from overexposure to snowy conditions and be sure to dry them thoroughly if you use them outside. 
Remember that condensation can occur when warm air hits cold surfaces. If you’ve been wearing your hearing aids outside in the cold, especially uncovered, try to warm them up by holding them between your hands or covering your ears before entering a heated building or car. This can help prevent moisture from condensation that could damage your hearing aids. 
Another impact of cold weather on hearing aids — and many electronic devices — is shortened battery life. Be sure to keep tabs on your charge level and plan for less battery life than usual. You may even want to bring a portable charger with you if you have one. 

Conclusion 

Each season presents its own challenges when it comes to hearing health. This winter, wearing ear protection from the cold, avoiding potentially dangerous noise levels, protecting yourself from congestion and related illnesses, and practicing proper hearing aid maintenance can help you enjoy hearing the joyous sounds of the season.