Don't Stress About Getting Hearing Aids
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Preparing Your Ears for Cold Weather Season
Your ears, the multitasking marvels that help with hearing and balance, have parts both inside and outside the body. The external ear is composed of a ridged cartilage, skin, and glands that secrete earwax, as well as a canal that leads to the tympanic membrane (eardrum). They’re essential for helping to capture sound, but they can be easily affected by the elements.
Reducing your head’s exposure to direct cold is essential in the colder months. As we enter fall and winter, our ears will be exposed to colder temperatures and face an increased risk of several weather-related problems. Let’s explore some helpful tips to prevent issues arising from cold ears.
Drs. Wade Han, Elvira Livigni De Armas, and the Florida Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center help Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida, residents keep their ears, nose, and throat protected during the cold months.
How cold weather affects the ears
With the cold weather comes changes in air pressure and humidity levels, and your complex and delicate hearing organs can be affected by it in several ways:
- Ear infections: happen frequently this time of year, due to blocking in inflaming iof the Eustachian tube
- Tinnitus: existing ringing or buzzing problems in your ears become worse in the cold
- Ear pain: when cold air causes pressure or fullness sensations, it can be painful
- Barotrauma: damage caused by differential pressure outside and inside the ears
- Dry skin: frigid weather dehydrates the skin, causing dryness and cracking
The conditions it can cause
Extended issues with cold weather on the ears can cause other problems as well, including:
Exotosis
The overexposure to cold and windy conditions, also known as surfer’s ear. This occurs when cold conditions force rain or snow into the ear canals, causing your body to develop a bony outgrowth to protect the ears from further water intrusion. The result can also trap water inside the ears, affecting how well you hear.
Vavoconstriction
When cold air lowers body temperature, your circulation is affected as blood vessels narrow, a process called vasoconstriction. When this happens, your immune system weakens, making it harder to keep infections from developing.
Possible hearing device damage
When you’re out in the cold air and wearing hearing aids, be careful that the weather isn’t so cold as to cause the buildup of condensation that can damage delicate components or destroy batteries that help them work.
Frostbite
A condition that can affect many limbs and extremities, including ears, when exposure to extreme cold damages the skin enough to freeze the outer layer and some of the tissue underneath. The extent of damage depends on what stage of frostbite you’re in.
Prevention methods
Many basic tips can help fend off the worst cold-weather problems your ears can face:
- Bundle up: oversized coats, wrapping up in scarves and hoods, all help to keep your ears and body warm
- Always use ear protection: earmuffs can really help protect ears from the elements
- Keep ears dry: to prevent frostbite and other issues, dry ears before leaving, and if they get wet outside
- Protect hearing aids: earmuffs, scarves, and hoods help avoid direct cold exposure
- Maintain your immune system: eat foods and take supplements to boost your immune system to fend off infections
Winter can be miserable when temperatures drop significantly, but your ears don’t have to suffer through it with the proper preparation. Schedule an appointment with Drs. Han, Livigni De Armas, and the Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center team today to get your ears ready for fall and winter.
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