7 Summer Tips For Healthier Ears, Noses & Throats
The warmth of summer brings a season of vacations and outdoor activities. But while you and your family are soaking up the sun and fun, remember the following tips so summer doesn’t become a bummer.
1. Adjust how you cheer and yell to avoid vocal cord damage. From cheering during a ball game or concert, to trying to talk to someone at a loud party or on a speedboat, it’s all too easy to strain your voice during the summer months. To avoid hoarseness, try not to tense your throat muscles when you increase the volume of your voice and let the sound roll out naturally.
2. Use earplugs to protect your ears from the sounds of summer. Prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels can damage hearing. Firecrackers, stock car races, sirens, rock concerts, model airplanes, chainsaws, and gas lawn mowers can all exceed that level. Foam earplugs are available from retail stores, but if you are exposed to these or other loud noises on a regular basis you should see an audiologist about getting custom-molded earplugs.
3. Stay inside during the morning hours to avoid pollen. During the summer, grass pollen is the primary trigger for people with seasonal allergies. Grass pollen counts are usually highest in the morning, so staying indoors can help reduce your allergic reaction. Of course, it’s impossible to completely avoid allergens, and summer is the season most of us like to be outdoors. If you have recurring allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, and itchy skin, you should consider allergy testing to determine exactly what allergens are causing your problems. You can then get the proper allergy treatment to reduce or even eliminate allergic reactions.
4. Unplug your ears at higher altitudes with chewing gum. Whether you’re flying to a far off destination or driving to Asheville for a day trip, rising elevation and changes in air pressure can cause the ears to clog and hurt. Chewing gum, yawning, or swallowing can help clear the clog and relieve the pain.
5. Keep your ears dry. Summertime usually leads to plenty of water activities in pools, lakes, beaches and water parks. Water that gets trapped in the outer ear can cause a painful ear infection. Use ear plugs while participating in water activities to keep water out of your ear. If you don’t have plugs, dry your ears with a towel. NEVER use a cotton swab (Qtip) to clean or dry your ears. Cotton swabs can damage your ear drum and push moisture and dirt deeper into your ear canal.
6. See an ENT doctor if you think you have swimmer’s ear. Many people refer to ear infections that are caused by water in the ear as “swimmer’s ear.” If you have an ear infection, it will not go away on its own and you’ll need to seek medical attention. Symptoms of swimmer's ear include a blocked or clogged feeling inside the ear canal, pain, itching inside the ear, fever and hearing loss.
7. Keep hearing aids out of the heat and direct sunlight. If you wear hearing aids, remember that high temperatures and direct sunlight can damage your hearing devices.
To learn more about the sinus, allergy, audiology, or voice services of CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat, visit our website at CornerStoneENT.com.
1. Adjust how you cheer and yell to avoid vocal cord damage. From cheering during a ball game or concert, to trying to talk to someone at a loud party or on a speedboat, it’s all too easy to strain your voice during the summer months. To avoid hoarseness, try not to tense your throat muscles when you increase the volume of your voice and let the sound roll out naturally.
2. Use earplugs to protect your ears from the sounds of summer. Prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels can damage hearing. Firecrackers, stock car races, sirens, rock concerts, model airplanes, chainsaws, and gas lawn mowers can all exceed that level. Foam earplugs are available from retail stores, but if you are exposed to these or other loud noises on a regular basis you should see an audiologist about getting custom-molded earplugs.
3. Stay inside during the morning hours to avoid pollen. During the summer, grass pollen is the primary trigger for people with seasonal allergies. Grass pollen counts are usually highest in the morning, so staying indoors can help reduce your allergic reaction. Of course, it’s impossible to completely avoid allergens, and summer is the season most of us like to be outdoors. If you have recurring allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, and itchy skin, you should consider allergy testing to determine exactly what allergens are causing your problems. You can then get the proper allergy treatment to reduce or even eliminate allergic reactions.
4. Unplug your ears at higher altitudes with chewing gum. Whether you’re flying to a far off destination or driving to Asheville for a day trip, rising elevation and changes in air pressure can cause the ears to clog and hurt. Chewing gum, yawning, or swallowing can help clear the clog and relieve the pain.
5. Keep your ears dry. Summertime usually leads to plenty of water activities in pools, lakes, beaches and water parks. Water that gets trapped in the outer ear can cause a painful ear infection. Use ear plugs while participating in water activities to keep water out of your ear. If you don’t have plugs, dry your ears with a towel. NEVER use a cotton swab (Qtip) to clean or dry your ears. Cotton swabs can damage your ear drum and push moisture and dirt deeper into your ear canal.
6. See an ENT doctor if you think you have swimmer’s ear. Many people refer to ear infections that are caused by water in the ear as “swimmer’s ear.” If you have an ear infection, it will not go away on its own and you’ll need to seek medical attention. Symptoms of swimmer's ear include a blocked or clogged feeling inside the ear canal, pain, itching inside the ear, fever and hearing loss.
7. Keep hearing aids out of the heat and direct sunlight. If you wear hearing aids, remember that high temperatures and direct sunlight can damage your hearing devices.
To learn more about the sinus, allergy, audiology, or voice services of CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat, visit our website at CornerStoneENT.com.
