Travel has become an important part of our everyday lives. From leisure to business travel, it can be an invigorating and enjoyable experience, but can also be stressful. Itineraries, passports, travel documents, the list can feel endless.
Most of us have a general idea of travel safety tips. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, wearing flashy jewelry, and checking travel recommendations for your destination.
One thing that we often neglect to consider, is how to protect our ears while on vacation.
Letting loose and unwinding is one of the primary benefits to a vacation. However, it’s important to be aware of your overall health, even when on vacation. Your ears are no different.
We’re exploring 3 easy ways to protect your ears while on vacation.
3 Tips to Protect Your Ears While on Vacation
None of us want to encounter health problems when on vacation. It’s important to consider your ear health alongside this. Keep your ears happy on vacation with these tips.
Be Mindful of Noise
Noise, lights, and people are one of the big draws in many vacation hot spots. Unfortunately, this can also pose a risk to your hearing. Concerts, loud street parties and festivals can be very, very loud! Noises in excess of 75 decibels (dB) in volume can start to damage your hearing. As a point of reference, 85dB is roughly the sound of heavy city traffic. Learn more about noise levels here.
Prolonged exposure to dangerous noise can lead to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). If you’re planning on attending any loud events, consider packing hearing protection. A simple step to help protect your hearing for the long haul.
Protect Your Ears When Flying
If air travel is a part of your vacation, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the noise of nearby jets can be extremely loud. When boarding or disembarking from your flight, you may want to wear ear plugs. Bonus: these can be used during the flight to shut out the noise around you, and help you enjoy a restful flight. Noise-canceling headphones are also worth considering, which can help shut out the additional background noise that comes with flying.
Additionally, air travel can often result in something known as “airplane ear.” This is generally noted when your ears pop as the flight changes altitude. For some people, this can result in lingering pain or even worsen tinnitus symptoms. You can help reduce the chance of airplane ear by chewing gum. The act of chewing and moving your jaw can help to adjust the pressure in your ears, thereby alleviating the symptoms.
Be Mindful of Water
Swimmer’s ear is an ear infection of your ear canal. As the name implies, it can be the result of swimming, as too much moisture in the ear can irritate it. You can reduce the risk of water in your ear by packing ear plugs. If you do plan to partake in a dip, make sure you thoroughly dry your ear after swimming.
Need Help? Have a Question? Contact Us Today!
Do you have any more questions about protecting your hearing health when on vacation? Contact the team at Regional Hearing and Balance Center today. Call us at 208-497-3596 or click here to book a complimentary hearing assessment.
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