A Guide to Ear Care in Winter Weather

Cold weather tests every part of your health, and ear care is an area that's easy to overlook. Your ears have little fat to insulate them and a limited blood supply, so they're often the first part of you to feel the cold. 

The best way to look after your ears in winter is to keep them warm, dry and covered outdoors, look after colds early and give your hearing aids a little extra care. These simple habits help prevent most winter ear trouble.

Our audiologists have put together their practical advice for protecting your ears outdoors, caring for them at home and looking after your hearing aids this winter. You'll also find a guide to common ear problems, and when to get medical advice or book an appointment with us. 

How cold weather affects your ears

Cold air narrows the blood vessels in the outer ear, so less blood reaches your ear lobes. That's why your ears can go numb, sting or ache after time outside, and take a while to warm up again.

Wind, rain and dry central heating can all affect how your ears feel and how well you hear. Winter weather can affect your ears in two main ways:

• Earwax changes. Cold can make wax firmer, and some people find it builds up more easily. Earwax is normal and protective, so it rarely needs removing. If it's blocking your hearing, our ear wax removal clinicians offer safe, gentle wax removal.

• Surfer's ear (exostosis). Regular exposure to cold wind and water can cause slow bony growths in the ear canal. It's most common in people who swim, surf or paddle in cold water, and over time it can trap water and wax. Find out more about surfer's ear and why your ears need wrapping up in the cold.

Ear infections and other winter ear problems

Winter colds and viruses spread quickly through offices and schools, and ear infections often follow close behind. Children are especially likely to pick them up. The good news is that most ear infections clear up on their own within 3 days, although symptoms can sometimes last up to a week.  

Not sure what's causing your ear trouble? Our table below compares the most common winter ear problems, the symptoms you might notice and what usually helps. It's a helpful guide rather than a diagnosis, as similar symptoms can have different causes. Before deciding to manage things at home, take a look at our advice on when to get medical help.

See a GP if your baby is under 12 months old and seems to have an ear infection, if earache hasn't started to get better after 3 days, or if ear infections keep coming back.

Want to find out more about what the cold does to your ears, and why it's so important to protect them? Read our article about why you need to protect your ears in cold weather. You can find out more about common hearing conditions and hearing symptoms in our ear health hub.

Protecting your ears outdoors

Whether you're walking the dog, heading to work or braving the beach, covering your ears is the simplest way to protect them. Here are our audiologists' top tips for protecting your ears when you're out and about this winter: 

• Wrap up warm. Choose a hat that pulls down over your ears, or a fleece headband or earmuffs. Wool and fleece insulate well, and a windproof outer layer helps on blustery days.  
• Stay dry. Wet ears lose heat quickly. Gently dry the outer ear with a towel after rain, swimming or a shower.
• Wear earplugs for cold-water sports. Swimmers, surfers and paddleboarders can reduce the risk of surfer's ear with well-fitting swim plugs and a neoprene hood. Ask in branch about custom hearing protection moulded to your ears.
• Warm up gradually. After time in the cold, let your ears warm naturally indoors. Avoid holding them against radiators or hot-water bottles, as numb skin burns easily.
• Protect against noise too. From bonfire night fireworks to festive concerts, winter can be loud. Foam or reusable earplugs help protect your hearing.

For the best gear for every outdoor activity, from running to cold-water swimming, read how to protect your ears in cold weather. 

Winter care for hearing aid wearers

If you wear hearing aids, winter needs a little extra thought. Condensation is the biggest winter risk to your hearing aids. Moving between cold air and warm rooms creates moisture, which can cause crackling, cutting out or faults. With a few simple habits, you can keep your hearing aids working at their best all season:

• Dry them every night. Store your hearing aids in a drying kit or dehumidifier overnight. If your aids have a battery door, open it as part of your drying routine.
  
• Keep them under your hat. A hat or headband shields your aids from rain and wind noise. Make sure it isn't so tight that it causes whistling (feedback).
  
• Keep an eye on batteries. Cold weather can drain batteries faster, whether disposable or rechargeable. Carry spares in an inside pocket rather than leaving them in a cold car.
  
• Wipe before you store. Gently clean off moisture and wax with a soft, dry cloth, and check the domes and tubing for droplets.
  
• Avoid direct heat. Never dry your aids on a radiator, in a microwave or with a hairdryer.
  

If your hearing aids keep cutting out even after drying, our audiologists are here to help. Book a hearing aid aftercare appointment at your local branch. 

Everyday ear care at home

Your ears are very good at looking after themselves, so a gentle approach is best.

• Keep cotton buds out of your ear canal. They push wax deeper and can scratch the skin. Clean only the outer ear with a damp cloth. Our dos and don’ts of cleaning your ears has more tips.
  
• Soften wax if it's bothering you. A few drops of olive oil or a wax-softening spray from your pharmacy, used as directed, can help wax work its way out naturally. Don't use ear drops or oil if you have a perforated eardrum. Our audiologists or your pharmacist can advise on suitable treatments. If your ears still feel blocked, book a professional ear wax removal.
  
• Beat central heating dryness. Warm, dry air can leave the skin in your ears feeling itchy. A humidifier, or a bowl of water near the radiator, can make a difference.
  

• Look after yourself when you have a cold. Rest and drink plenty of fluids, and blow your nose gently. Avoid inhaling steam over a bowl of hot water: it can cause serious scalds.
  
• Help stop germs spreading. Wash your hands regularly and enjoy a balanced diet full of fruit and vegetables. Fewer colds means fewer ear infections, especially in children.
  

When should you get help for an ear problem? 

The right next step depends on your symptoms and how quickly they develop. Start with the warning signs below to decide when to seek medical advice straight away. For gradual hearing changes or ongoing hearing aid problems, the following guidance explains when to speak to an audiologist. 

Get medical advice straight away from your GP or NHS 111 if you have: 

• Ear ache with a high temperature, or feeling generally unwell
  
• Fluid, pus or blood coming from your ear
  
• Swelling or redness behind your ear
  
• Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears, which needs urgent assessment
  
• Dizziness or a spinning feeling that doesn't settle
  
• Ears that stay numb, hard or blistered after being out in the cold
  

For gradual changes in your hearing, book a FREE hearing test with one of our audiologists, or start with our online hearing test. If you notice ringing or buzzing that won't go away, our audiologists offer tinnitus management. 

Book your ear care appointment at Leightons

For ongoing blocked ears, gradual hearing changes or hearing aids that are struggling with the cold, our audiologists and wax removal clinicians offer a friendly, no-pressure approach. Book an appointment online or find your local branch below. If you have any of the warning signs listed above, seek medical advice straight away rather than waiting for a routine appointment. 

Book an appointment online 

Find your local branch