Summer Travel and Hearing Loss: What You Need to Know

By Dr. Noël Crosby, Au.D.

Summer is prime travel season, with many people taking vacations to explore new destinations. However, certain aspects of travel can potentially impact your hearing health. Whether you’re hitting the road, taking to the skies, or embarking on a cruise adventure, it’s crucial to be mindful of potential risks to your hearing and take preventative measures. Here’s what you need to know about summer travel and hearing loss.

1. Air Travel and Ear Pressure
Air travel can be particularly challenging for your ears due to changes in air pressure during take-off and landing. These pressure fluctuations can cause discomfort, pain, and even temporary hearing loss if not managed properly. To alleviate this issue, try chewing gum, sucking on hard candies, or using ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones specifically designed for air travel. These simple steps can help equalize the pressure in your ears and prevent discomfort.

2. Loud Noises and Hearing Damage
Summer travel often involves exposure to various loud noises, such as airplane engines, concerts, fireworks displays, and crowded venues. Prolonged exposure to these loud sounds can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), which is cumulative and irreversible. To protect your hearing, consider using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones when in loud environments. Additionally, try to take breaks from loud noises by stepping away from the source periodically.

3. Water Activities and Ear Infections
Swimming, water sports, and other water-based activities are popular during summer travel. However, water exposure can increase the risk of ear infections, which can lead to temporary hearing loss if left untreated. To prevent ear infections, use earplugs or custom-fitted swim molds when engaging in water activities. Additionally, be sure to dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or showering to remove any excess moisture.

4. Heat and Humidity
Extreme heat and humidity can cause swelling in the ear canal, leading to discomfort, itching, and potential hearing issues. Additionally, excessive sweating can introduce moisture into the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection. To mitigate these risks, use a hat or headband to keep sweat from entering your ears, and consider using a portable fan or air conditioning when possible to stay cool and dry.

5. Travel Fatigue and Stress
Travel can be physically and mentally exhausting, leading to fatigue and stress. These factors can contribute to temporary hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). To combat travel fatigue and stress, make sure to get enough rest, stay hydrated, and practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.

By being aware of these potential risks and taking the necessary precautions, you can enjoy your summer travels while protecting your hearing health. Don’t hesitate to consult a hearing healthcare professional if you have any concerns or experience any hearing-related issues during your travels.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Advanced Hearing Solutions
Using the latest and most sophisticated technology, we determine if you have hearing loss–and, if you do, we determine the degree and type of hearing loss. If your hearing loss requires medical or surgical intervention, we can refer you to a physician (otologist or neurologist) for appropriate treatment. If your type of hearing loss can best be treated with the use of hearing aids and/or other assistive listening devices (which is true in the great majority of cases), we can select any of a wide range of hearing devices and custom fit them to your ear, programmed to augment your hearing at those frequency levels where your hearing loss is greatest.

Call Advanced Hearing Solutions today at (941) 474-8393.