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The cold weather is here, and it’s imperative that you protect your hearing. The winter season can take a toll on your hearing, which is why you must give it the protection that it needs before it gets affected.
The coldness of winter can affect the circulation of blood from reaching your ears, so make sure that you keep them safe and warm. One of the effects that are caused by winter is that it can clog your ears!
Clogged ears may be the cause of too much earwax in the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is a canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and is also responsible for controlling the pressure in the middle ear. Clogged ears may also be due to the presence of water in your ear, altitude change, sinus infections, and allergies.
There are a lot of ways to treat clogged ears. You can pop your ears by plugging your nose and blowing it while keeping your lips closed. Using a nasal spray can also be helpful, especially if you’re flying or if you have sinus congestion. Dripping baby or olive oil into your clogged ear may also help unclog your ears. Likewise, you can simply get over-the-counter ear drops at your local pharmacy.
Here are four other tips to help protect your hearing during the winter season.
The extreme cold, wind, and moisture can affect your ears in many different ways. Wear ear protection such as ear-warmers and other snug gear that can help protect your ears from the cold weather and keep them as dry as possible.
If you have allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, make sure that you treat it immediately. If you don’t act on your allergies right away, it could cause plugged ears. If you suspect you have allergies, visit a doctor to assess what kind of allergy medications you can take.
If you have the flu, take the necessary medications, and get adequate rest as well. Flu can cause ear infection called otitis media. It is a painful swelling and inflammation of the middle ear. When left untreated, it can build up behind the eardrum and cause severe infections. Know that ear infections can be treated with antibiotics.
Make sure to clean your ears properly. After your shower, use a soft cloth for your ears. If you need to soften the wax, you can use water or a prescribed solution by your doctor.
If you are wearing a hearing aid, you have to realize that they are prone to harsh weather elements. To protect your hearing aid, remember to wear hats, scarves, or earmuffs. Also, remember to keep your hearing aids warm and dry at all times. To prevent moisture from your hearing aids, you can purchase hearing aid sweatbands.
The harsh winter can affect your ears in many ways. In this article, you now know several tips on how to care for your ears effectively. Your hearing is important, so take care of it at all times.
If you are experiencing hearing problems, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our audiologist in Langley BC to see how we can help.