Have you ever wondered how to protect your hearing during the winter? It is a time of year when the cold makes you bundle up in a coat, boots, and gloves whenever you leave the house. However, many of us forget to protect our ears when we step outside into the bitter cold temperatures. Part of the problem is that many people do not realize the importance of protecting your ears during the cold winter months.
Ears are particularly vulnerable to cold weather because they don’t have the same layer of fat that insulates the rest of the body. The nerves in our ears are more exposed to damage from subzero temperatures. This is why our ears are one of the first parts of our body to feel cold, and painful after longer exposure without protection.
Did you know that an ear infection can be caused by bacteria in the upper respiratory system traveling up the Eustachian tube into the middle ear? During the winter we spend more time indoors and in closer proximity to others. This can increase the likelihood of picking up an illness such as the flu or a common cold. If you think you are experiencing an ear infection, we recommend that you visit your family doctor.
If you want to protect your hearing during the winter from cold temperatures or common illnesses, here are four tips you should follow.