Keep Your Hearing Safe this Winter

When Old Man Winter arrives, he can either bring a light dusting, or he can come at us like a heavy, arctic blizzard. Either way, it’s important to always have the essentials: Coat, scarf, gloves, and ear protection in a hat or earmuffs. Many everyday events and situations during the winter months can have a real effect on your ears and hearing. Hats and earmuffs are no longer a fashion statement, they serve a purpose and will help you out in the long run when it comes to your hearing. Here are some ways the winter season can affect your hearing and how to protect it: Noise: The noise levels of some equipment, like snow blowers, engines or generators, can go beyond what is safe. So wearing a set of ear plugs plus earmuffs or a winter hat can be beneficial. Infections: Ear infections are more likely to happen when your ears are exposed to cold winter weather for a prolonged time. The colder the temperature it is outside, the more difficult it is for your blood to circulate in your ears. This is very important, especially when you are just over a cold or still suffering from one. Either earmuffs, a woolly hat, or an insulated hood on your coat can help keep infections away significantly. Diet: Some foods are known to help offset the causes and effects of hearing damage. These include dark chocolate, tuna and salmon, nuts, bananas, oranges, spinach, broccoli, beans and asparagus. Balance: Many people already dealing with some stage of hearing loss, are more prone to falling in the winter season due to cognitive overload. If you feel unbalanced while outside in the cold, walk carefully and slowly, and then stay indoors until you feel better. To learn more about hearing loss and protection during the winter months, please contact us at our Clifton Springs, Pittsford, or Canandaigua, New York locations.