Once the temperature drops and the wind acts like an impatient child pulling at your earlobe, your ears suddenly become more vulnerable than you think. In summer they whine at most about a splash of pool water, but in winter? Then they seem to have a subscription to throbbing, whining, tingling and even freezing. Yet many people don’t know that cold and wind can affect your hearing quite a bit. In fact, your ears are more sensitive than a soufflé in the oven. So time to explain what cold does to your ears and what you really need to watch out for.
Why cold and ears are such a bad combination
Your ears have little protection. There is no layer of fat around them like around your hands or glutes (clean nature – you have to come into the world with something). Your earlobe and auricle are largely composed of cartilage, thin skin and lots of blood vessels. Once it gets cold outside, those blood vessels constrict, reducing warm, nourishing blood circulation. That’s exactly why your ears feel cold so quickly and sometimes even hurt.
In addition, wind is the big culprit. Wind amplifies the effect of cold – think wind chill – and blows directly against your ear. This can even cause temporary inflammation or irritation. As if your ears are saying, “Hello, what do you think?”
Ear pain from cold: how exactly does it work?
You may recognize the feeling: a sharp, almost electric sting in your auricle while cycling outside. That’s because cold affects not only the outside of your ear, but also the nerves that run there. The trigeminal nerve, one of the largest nerves in your face, runs partially along the ears. Cold wind can activate those nerve impulses considerably, causing you to experience ear pain without any real damage.
Sometimes, however, it goes a step further. With prolonged exposure, the nerves and blood vessels in the ear can become inflamed. And if you’re already prone to ear problems – think previous inflammation or tube of Eustachian tube that gets upset quickly – the chances of symptoms are even greater.
What is surfers ear, and why do you get it even in winter?
Surfers ear is a condition in which extra bone growth occurs in the ear canal due to prolonged exposure to wind, cold and water. Although the name suggests being on a surfboard, it is just as common in sailors, skaters, hikers or braves who still bike to work at -5 degrees.
Due to the combination of cold wind and moisture, your body reacts: it tries to protect the ear canal with bone formation. Cleverly devised by nature, not very convenient for humans. Extra bone growth narrows the ear canal, leading to worse sound and higher risk of inflammation.
Winter ear infections: an uninvited guest
Cold not only makes your ears sensitive, it can indirectly contribute to middle ear infections. How? Cold and dry air can irritate the mucous membranes in your nose and throat. And those are directly connected to your ears via the tube of Eustachian tube. If that tube does not work as well, fluid can accumulate in the middle ear. This area is a perfect place for bacteria to multiply. Bam: ignition.
Children are especially affected because their Eustachian tube is shorter and narrower. Therefore, the risk during winter cold in kids is even higher than in adults.
What can you do to protect your ears?
Fortunately, this is not a hopeless battle. You can do a lot to keep your ears happy during the cold months.
Protective earplugs or skid caps
When it’s windy outside like you’re in a wind tunnel, special earplugs that block cold air are ideal. Ski plugs – the winter version of swimming plugs – seal your ear canal from wind and moisture. This prevents irritation, inflammation and that miserable stabbing pain. We make them to order for you, without appointment. Stop by at our swim and skidoo walk-in!
A hat or ear warmer is not a luxury
You don’t have to go straight for a plaid sheep’s wool hat à la mountain guide. A regular hat or ear warmer will keep the temperature of your ears stable. Warmth is key: even a few degrees difference makes a world of difference to your ear comfort.
Keep your ears dry
Water on a cold earlobe not only feels uncomfortable, it also acts as a kind of mini air conditioner that makes your ear cool down even faster. So dry your ears thoroughly after showering, swimming or exercising.
Avoid prolonged exposure
Are you standing along the soccer field and the wind is howling against your ears? Take a step out of the wind or pull up your hood. Small actions that prevent great misery.
Build up your cold tolerance
Don’t jump from tropical heated indoors directly into freezing temperatures with your ears unprotected. Especially if you already have sensitive ears. Give your body time to acclimate.
What if your ears already hurt?
As soon as your ears begin to protest, listen to them. You don’t need a doctor’s degree to understand that pain is a signal.
- Warm hands or a scarf can help slowly warm your ears
- Gently massage the auricles to stimulate blood circulation
- Are you suffering from stabbing pain that won’t go away? Check with your doctor for inflammation
And above all, keep protecting them until the symptoms go away.
How cold can affect your hearing
It may sound crazy, but your hearing can get temporarily worse from cold. That’s because tense muscles and constricted blood vessels reduce blood flow. Also, a cold that develops earlier due to the cold can block the Eustachian tube. And voila, you hear like you’re underwater. Not charming.
Additional tips for outdoorsmen
If you are someone who enthusiastically embraces winter life – skating, running, hiking, skiing – then your ears are your weak spot.
- Choose earplugs made specifically to block wind
- Go for a windproof hat, especially for high-speed activities
- Use ski helmet ear pads when skiing
- Hydrate yourself well; dry air also dries out your mucous membranes
Your ears were not made to rip through icy winds at 50 mph without protection.
Why skid caps are ideal for winter hearing
Ski caps are the winter brothers of swim caps. They are specially designed to keep out wind, cold and moisture. Custom-made ski caps fit perfectly in your ear, so they don’t irritate and you can wear them for hours. Ideal for winter sports, cycling or walking through inclement Dutch winds.
Finally, keep your ears warm, and they’ll keep you nicely balanced
Your ears may seem like small, bony pieces of cartilage that are there primarily to cling to glasses. But they are much more important. They literally help you keep your balance, are involved in your heat balance and carry your hearing every day. And in winter, they just need extra attention.
So pull that hat over your ears, use ski caps when the wind misbehaves, and remember that ear pain is not a signal to be ignored. Keep your ears warm, and they’ll keep you hearing everything – from crunching snow to cheerful winter sounds – clearly.
