Most people know going out in the cold can put your health at risk, and it can have just as damaging effects on your hearing too. Alison Flaherty, head of medical negligence at Patient Claim Line, warned there are a number of common cold weather issues that could result in temporary hearing loss.
With the winter weather comes a host of illnesses, including ear infections, which may take hold when the cold has weakened your immune system. Leaving ear infections untreated can lead to hearing loss, the expert warned.
Some of the main symptoms of ear infections include pain, scaly skin around the ear, discharge leaking out of the ear, difficulty hearing, and a high temperature according to the NHS. Pharmacists can generally advise people on how to treat their ear infection but if it does not start getting better in a few days you may need to see your GP.
Alison said: “One of the main reasons why winter can cause hearing problems is due to the cold weather. Cold temperatures can cause the blood vessels in the ear to constrict, reducing the blood flow to the inner ear. This can lead to a temporary hearing loss, which may resolve on its own once the blood vessels dilate again.”
To keep this ailment at bay, the expert recommended covering your ears with the likes of beanies or earmuffs whenever you head into the cold. Your hearing loss may be due to changes in air pressure that winter weather brings if you have one other symptom as well; a feeling of fullness in the ear. People who fly during the winter months might find this issue particularly problematic.
Chewing gum, yawning, or swallowing can be easy ways to unblock your ears when the air pressure changes. Special devices like air-regulating earplugs may also be an option.
If you feel like your ears are permanently blocked during winter, there are a number of medical explanations that prove this could actually be true. The expert explained: “During the winter, your body produces more earwax than normal as a bodily defence, which can lead to a build-up of earwax.
“This can cause a blockage in the ear canal, which can lead to temporary hearing loss. In some cases, the blockage may be severe enough to require medical intervention.” Luckily, the solution to this is simply to keep your ears clean and clear throughout the season.