The expert has sent out an important alert to people
A health expert has issued a warning that people should pay close attention to from Monday, June 22. The Met Office has issued a rare ‘extreme heat’ warning across several parts of England and Wales from Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25.
They are cautioning that “adverse health effects are likely to be experienced” by the majority of people, not solely those already susceptible to hot weather. Now audiologist Kayleigh Waters is also sounding the alarm, as many people are unaware of the impact that scorching temperatures can have on their hearing and ear health.
She outlined three significant ways a heatwave can affect your ears. She is warning that it’s not merely the heat itself that poses a risk, but also how you behave during hot spells that can heighten your chances of damage.
Sunburn
The Boots Hearingcare specialist explained: “Sunburn is one of the things that doesn’t just feel painful and uncomfortable, but it can also have a big impact on our ear health. While sunburn is primarily a skin issue, leading to an increased risk of skin cancer, it can also exacerbate symptoms of tinnitus.”
Tinnitus occurs when you begin hearing a sound that has no external source. It isn’t always apparent what triggers it, though it can sometimes resolve on its own. According to the NHS, tinnitus can manifest as ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing, throbbing, or even resemble music or singing.
Kayleigh added: “This is because intense sun exposure often leads to inflammation, which is known for worsening tinnitus. Not only this, but sunburn can cause physical stress and dehydration, both of which are factors that can lead to heightened tinnitus symptoms.”
To avoid getting sunburnt and potentially aggravating your tinnitus, a few straightforward measures such as staying out of the sun during peak midday hours, applying and reapplying SPF whenever you venture outside, and wearing a hat can all make a real difference.
Swimmer’s ear
During periods of intense heat, many people head to the water to cool off, whether that’s a chlorinated pool or the open sea. However, all forms of swimming carry the same risk of water becoming trapped in your ears.
Kayleigh explained: “As ear wax is water repellent, having water in your ear isn’t too much of a problem health-wise, and will usually end up trickling out on its own. However, issues can arise when the water doesn’t find its own way out, and infections such as swimmer’s ear develop, which can lead to much more serious ear infections.”
Symptoms of trapped water in your ear:
- Tingling
- Feeling of fullness in the ear canal
- Muffled hearing
- Partial or total hearing loss
The expert cautioned that should you experience these symptoms alongside pain, itching, redness or swelling around the ear, it may be time to seek medical advice.
Dehydration
Kayleigh warned: “High temperatures and increased physical activity during the summer period mean that dehydration is more common this time of year. Our bodies are made up mostly of water, and a lack of proper fluid intake can lead to dehydration, which affects many bodily functions, including those of the inner ear.”
The inner ear contains the essential systems responsible for both hearing and balance, and both functions depend on adequate hydration to work correctly. Dehydration can trigger a number of symptoms, including ringing in the ears, dizziness, or muffled hearing.
Kayleigh advised: “In hot weather, we lose more fluids through sweat, so it’s especially important to stay topped up. While the NHS advises drinking 6–8 glasses of fluid a day, this should ideally increase to 8–10 glasses during warmer periods to help prevent dehydration and protect your ear health.”
Those concerned about their hearing can book a free hearing test at Boots Hearingcare or through the NHS.
