Protect your hearing in the cold of winter

With snow and cold temperatures upon us with the start of the winter season, people who suffer from hearing loss need to take precaution.

The same as we’re more susceptible to colds and viruses in winter, the weather has an impact on hearing.

Cold temperatures restrict blood circulation in the ear, meaning the more time you spend outside in cold weather, the more likely you are to develop an ear infection.

Recurring ear infections can result in exotosis, also called surfer’s ear, which is caused by regular exposure to cold, wet weather. Exotosis leads to a bony growth outwards from inside the ear.

You can prevent the onset of exotosis by covering the ears with ear muffs or a hat and also not spending too much time outdoors in cold weather.

Another thing to watch out for: the noise of a snow plow or snow blower. Both have become more readily available with the costs of each having come down over the years. They don’t require as much from you in terms of physical effort, but you need to protect your ears from the noise, which can approach or even surpass 100 decibels, basically the level of noise of a rock concert.

One last tidbit: if you wear hearing aids, you know already that cold weather is not good for batteries. Hearing-aid batteries can be prone to moisture damage, so be mindful when outside in cold temperatures of condensation building up in your aids.

The issue with condensation can become more pronounced when you move indoors to warmer temperatures after an extended period outside in the cold.

It is recommended that you use a dehumidifier to keep hearing aids dry.

How Hearing Healthcare of Virginia can help

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, hearing loss is the third most common health condition among adults. Our experts can help you stay connected and thrive in daily life. Understand where your strengths and areas of weakness lie so you can take steps toward improvement. Learn what to expect on your first visit with our experienced and reliable experts.

Hearing healthcare is vital to your well-being. Find out if you are a candidate for hearing aids with our free hearing assessment*.