The hot temperatures can impact your health (Image: Getty)
It might sound surprising, but health experts are warning that particularly hot temperatures can have a negative impact on your ear health. And with a heatwave forecast over the next few days, it’s more important than ever to remain safe and protected.
With this in mind, Kayleigh Waters, an audiologist at Boots Hearingcare is sharing some of the unforeseen cicrumstances that can occur if your hears aren’t protected during hot weather. She explained: “While sunburn is primarily a skin issue, leading to an increased risk of skin cancer, it can also exacerbate symptoms of tinnitus. 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 any tinnitus flare-ups, Kayleigh recommends wearing and reapplying SPF, not spending extensive periods in direct and intense sunlight, and covering with wide-brimmed hats and suitable clothing.
Dehydration
Dehydration is another problem that can impact your ear, and is certainly more common during periods of high temperatures. And a lack of proper fluid intake can lead to dehydration, which affects many bodily functions, including those of the inner ear.
Kayleigh says: “The inner ear relies on fluid to support both hearing and balance. When the body becomes dehydrated, it can disrupt this fluid balance, potentially leading to symptoms such as ringing in the ears, dizziness, a feeling of fullness, and even muffled hearing.
High temperatures can have a negative impact on ear health (Image: Getty)
“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.”
Swimmers ear
When the weather heats up, you may make a trip to your local lido or swimming pool, or perhaps even for a dip in the ocean. It’s important to be aware of any problems that may arise following a swim, enabling you to take the necessary precautions.
Kayleigh says: “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.
“Having water trapped in your ear canal can also be an uncomfortable experience, with symptoms including tingling, a feeling of fullness in the ear canal, muffled hearing and even partial or total hearing loss.
“If you develop any of the symptoms of swimmer’s ear, such as pain, itching, redness or swelling, speak to your doctor about treatment options.”
