How to protect your ears in cold weather

The UK may not experience the same winter weather extremes as many parts of the world, but that doesn't mean our relatively temperate climate isn't capable of springing the odd sub-zero surprise throughout autumn and certainly the long winter months.

When we think about wrapping up to protect against freezing temperatures, our first thought is often a warm jacket to retain body heat or a substantial pair of socks and gloves to keep the extremities insulated. However, one of our most-exposed and least-protected body parts are overlooked – our ears.

With very little body fat to act as insulation, our ears are particularly prone to suffering from cold weather. Even relatively short periods of low temperatures can be enough to cause hearing problems. That’s why it pays to follow these four tips for good ear care this winter:

1. Everyday exposure

Commuting to work, walking the dog, or just popping out for a cycle on a cold, crisp winter’s morning; you might not think you’ll need to protect your ears if you’re only going to be outside for a few minutes, but if the air is bitter, pain can quickly set in.

While the discomfort is often only short-term, long-term exposure can cause a condition called exostosis, also known as ‘surfer’s ear’. This creates abnormal bone growths in the ear canal, as the body attempts to create its own protection against the cold. Exostosis can result in a build-up of earwax, which in turn can trigger infections, earache, hearing loss and tinnitus. Hats, snoods that cover your ears, and ear muffs are unobtrusive, simple and comfy preventative solutions.

2. Winter Sports

A sunny afternoon on the slopes can trick you into thinking the temperatures are much higher than they really are. Tempting as it may be to ditch those extra layers and leave your hat behind, it’s an unwise move.

Helmets are commonplace on the slopes nowadays, with even the most experienced skiers opting to wear them. Alongside the safety benefits, they also offer effective insulation against the cold. Choose a model with padded ear covers to ensure you get the best protection from cold weather.

3. Hearing Aids

Cold weather can present challenges for people with hearing aids. Cold conditions cause batteries to run down faster. That’s why we advise always keeping a spare battery available. Then there’s condensation to contend with. Cold air can create moisture inside the hearing aid, which presents obvious issues for the unit’s electronics. Don’t dry your hearing aid on a heater if it gets wet or suffers from condensation – drying containers are available, which can prevent damage. Ask your hearing care specialist for more information about keeping your hearing aids dry and safe.

It’s worth investigating water-resistant hearing aids too, they’re significantly less susceptible to damage from condensation.

4. Infections

The winter might be ‘cold and flu season’, but ear infections can be common at this time of year too. There are some simple steps we can all take to minimise the risk of ear infections, such as drying your ears thoroughly after showering or swimming and keeping your ears clean.

If you do spot the signs of an ear infection, visit your GP or hearing care specialist as soon as possible. Left untreated, an infection can get worse or even cause long-term damage.

Here for your hearing

Whether you’re wondering about the weather, or need advice on protecting your hearing aids, we’re happy to help. Find your local hearing care expert here, or call us on 0800 40 20 20 for more information.