Hot Times: Safe Hearing in the Summer
Thereโs still a lot of sunny days left in the year and we know the heat is testing our hearing health and hearing equipment.
Whether youโre hitting the water or the skies, weโve got tips for healthy summer hearing locked in.
๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ต๐๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต
Dehydration can cause a loss of balance, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and other hearing related symptoms when your body begins borrowing fluids from its other parts, like your inner ears. Whatโs more, ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ supports our immune systems and helps ward off bacteria growth leading to ear infections.
Make replenishing fluids convenient by packing collapsible water bottles, which are refillable, compact, and ideal for summer travel. Also consider outfitting your bags and backpacks with electrolyte drink packets and hydrating snacks like apples, cucumbers, watermelon, etc.
๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐น๐๐ด๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐ถ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐น๐๐ด๐ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐
Random summer outings can turn into unexpected, one-of-a-kind adventures. Carrying a set of earplugs for last minute use when a boat engine ๐ฅ๏ธ, motorcycle ride ๐๏ธ or concert ๐ต becomes too much for your ears will save you a headache and a half and the tinnitus produced by prolonged exposure to loud sounds ๐ซจ.
Swimming earplugs are the solution for underwater ๐ activities. Invest in custom swimming ear plugs to keep bacteria from pools, rivers, and oceans out of yours or your kidsโ ears.
๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข ๐ง๐๐ฃ: Ask about our custom earplugs designed specifically to fit our patientsโ outer ears and ear canals. Theyโre made of high-grade, medical-grade silicone and other durable materials and are more comfortable than over-the-counter options.
๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ผ๐บ๐
Ear barotrauma, or more commonly, airplane ear, happens when thereโs a disconnect between your middle ear pressure and the air pressure in your environment.
Yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum during ascension and descension can help you avoid airplane ear. Other options to explore include:
๐ธWearing filtered earplugs which slowly equalize the air pressure during ascents and descents
๐ธTaking already prescribed allergy medication an hour before your flight
๐ธIf you have nasal congestion, using over-the-counter nasal spray 30 minutes to an hour before takeoffs and landings
๐ข๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ผ๐๐๐ฑ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ๐
Itโs easier to notice the differences between indoor and outdoor listening with your hearing aids when youโre spending more time outside. Your audiologist can show you the right settings for conversations in busy environments, for reducing wind interference, and toning down noise irritations like traffic and animals.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ต๐๐บ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐
Your phone might warn you when itโs overheated but your hearing aids wonโt ๐ฅต. High temperatures wreak havoc on internal components, casing, and batteries!
To minimize the opportunity for heat damage, avoid leaving your hearing aids in direct sunlight or in hot vehicles. Store them in covered areas inside a protective case when not in use.
๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ต๐๐บ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ณ๐ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ ๐ฎ๐ณ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
Hearing aids should be cleaned often in the summer months. Humidity and sweat team up to produce earwax that finds itself inside your hearing aid ports and openings.
Full-scale hearing aid cleaning and maintenance is dependent on your device type.
Consider investing in a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier kit for removing excess moisture during the humid months. Ask our office about the Redux, an at-home hearing aid dryer that dries your equipment in eight minutes.
๐ ๐ ๐
As we soak up the last moments of summer, donโt forget Basin Hearing Solutions has openings for hearing screenings before the bell rings!
Call: (701) 572-1077 to book your child’s hearing screening with our accomplished and caring team of audiology professionals!