Can Cold Weather Cause Hearing Loss?

Winter is almost here, and with that will come the need to be outside more. You will want to make sure that you have your earmuffs and your hat. This is especially true if you will be outside in the cold weather for long periods of time. Winter weather can be harmful to your ears, so it is imperative that you keep them warm.

Your Ears Will Get Cold First

When you are outside in cold temperatures, you will feel your ears get cold first. This is due to the fact that they are mainly cartilage with no fat to insulate them. Ears are often not protected and are exposed to the cold air frequently. In the inside of your ear, the nerves of the ear canal are unprotected. They react with sharp pain when they feel cold. The pain in your inner ear can also be caused by poor blood circulation. This can be caused by wind and cold.

Can Cold Weather Cause Hearing Loss?

Spending a lot of time outside in the cold weather can cause hearing loss. If you find yourself outside quite often, it is wise to use ear protection. When you constantly expose your ears to cold temperatures, your body will increase the bone growth in the ear canal. Your body does this in an attempt to make sure that the cold air does not reach your inner ear. This is called exostosis, and you may also hear it being called surfer’s ear.

This problem can cause damage to your hearing because the ear will then have issues draining water, ear wax, and dirt. This can lead to ear infections that can cause permanent hearing loss. To fix this problem, you would have to see a hearing care specialist to have surgery. It is much better to go ahead and protect your ears from the cold.

How To Keep Ears Safe

When it is cold outside, you will want to make sure that you have some sort of ear protection. You can use a hat that comes down and covers your ears, or you can get earmuffs. You will want to make sure that the muffs or hat fits securely over your ears. Another thing that you will need to do is to prevent moisture build-up in the ear. When moisture builds up, it can lead to an infection. Change out your earmuffs or hat if they get wet.

Some people think that protecting their ears in the winter should include putting cotton wool in their ears. This is not a good practice and can lead to inflammation. Use a hairdryer on a low setting to ensure that you do not have moisture in your ears. Dry your ears and cover them whenever you go outside.

Call Today

If you want to learn more about protecting your ears this winter or having issues with hearing loss, please call your local Beltone Skoric Hearing Aid Center. Our hearing care specialists will help you with all your hearing needs.

https://www.medexpress.com/blog/workplace-wellness/why-you-need-to-keep-your-ears-warm-this-winter.html
https://www.comprehensiveearandhearing.com/blog/connection-cold-weather-hearing-loss/