Autumn is an exciting time of year for many, given how it kicks off the holiday season and brings in cooler weather after months of intense summer heat. Lower temperatures during the fall can potentially affect ears and hearing, especially among those who aren’t prepared for the abrupt weather changes. Seasonal allergies also come back in the fall to cause hearing problems in vulnerable individuals.
Here’s more about properly caring for ears during the fall to prevent hearing loss and how to contact Sonora Hearing Care, LLC for audiology services.
How Weather Can Impact Ears
Ears have no fat tissue and can get extremely cold in low temperatures. Additionally, cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which decreases blood flow to the skin—including that in the ears. This is another factor that can cause the ears to feel cold.
When exposed to low temperatures for a long period, the ears can trigger a sensation of pain, occurring mainly because nerves in the ear canal are covered by a thin layer of skin. The best way to prevent this from happening during the fall and winter seasons is to cover the ears using a hat, sweatband, or earmuffs.
Seasonal Allergies
Many people across the United States suffer from allergies in the fall and spring seasons due to changes in pollen counts. Hay fever is a common complication of seasonal allergies that can cause congestion and a feeling of fullness in the ears. Itchy ears, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and difficulty hearing are other ear-related symptoms associated with seasonal allergies in the fall.
Cold and Flu
The fall season is also commonly referred to as cold and flu season due to how these illnesses become more prevalent during this time. The cold and flu produce many of the same symptoms as seasonal allergies, including stuffy ears, congestion, and ringing in the ears. These illnesses also sometimes cause ear infections, reduced hearing, or temporary hearing loss due to prolonged pressure and fluid buildup in the ears.
Protecting Hearing When Outdoors
Lots of outdoor activities that take place in the fall have the potential to affect hearing. Football games, concerts, hunting, and leaf blowers are some of the many loud noises people may encounter during the fall.
Frequent or long-term exposure to these noises can reduce hearing or lead to temporary hearing loss without the correct protective equipment. Wearing earmuffs and earplugs when doing these activities can go a long way toward protecting hearing.
Caring for Hearing Aids
Hearing aids usually require special care during the fall. For instance, cool temperatures can cause batteries to drain faster than usual, which means it may be necessary to keep extra batteries on hand, especially when away from home.
Exposure to cold air may also damage hearing aids due to moisture and condensation buildup. Using a hearing aid dehumidifier can often help protect hearing aids after spending time outdoors in the cold. During the fall, hearing aids should be cleaned and dried at the end of every day, just like any other time of the year.
Sonora Hearing Care, is devoted to helping you protect your hearing during every season of the year and can treat any degree of hearing loss. We can also repair hearing aids that may have become damaged due to cold or inclement weather. Contact us today at (520) 881-8740 to schedule a consultation and learn more about our many available hearing services.