When celebrating the holidays, there’s typically a lot of laughter, excitement, and festive noise, but one might also end up with an incident that affects their hearing health. These include winter activities, decorating, and noisy parties, all of which can damage the ears.
Ear injuries actually happen often, but no one thinks to prevent them during the holidays. Whether it’s sudden exposure to a loud noise, decorating accidents, or fireworks, any of these can affect the ears and affect festivities. Knowing what can go wrong will help prevent holiday accidents and keep the season happy.
Fireworks and Joyous Sounds
Fireworks can cause a lot of noise and even lead to sudden hearing impairment. Fireworks can produce blasts as loud as 150 dB, way higher than what the human ear can handle. Delicate inner ear structures can sustain immediate harm from even one close exposure. But for many, they’re a must-have for the holiday season.
Large fireworks aren’t the only dangerous problem. Sharp and abrupt sounds that can startle someone can also damage their hearing, like poppers, noisemakers, and toy cap guns. So, enjoy all these from a distance and wear ear protection while enjoying the holidays.
Gifts, Toys, and Small Items
Getting and giving gifts during the holidays can be fun, but they also come with some risks that eventually injure the ears, especially if they have many parts. Also, if toys are always held near the ear, they can cause high-pitched noises or very loud music that affects the ears.
Small parts and items can get stuck in a person’s ear, like beads, batteries, or pieces of toys, and this is more dangerous than it sounds. Children sometimes do this out of curiosity, or adults might end up in this case when they are distracted, leading to harm and pain. Rather than using home remedies that make the situation worse, contact a professional instead.
Decorating Falls and Mishaps
Decorating adds sparkle to the season, but stretching to hang ornaments and scaling ladders can result in unanticipated falls. Even minor impacts from falls can result in head or ear trauma. Even a small blow can alter sound perception or cause vertigo because the ear is made up of fragile bones and membranes that aid in hearing and balance.
The decorations themselves are one underappreciated cause of ear injuries. If they’re handled carelessly, sharp objects, tinsel strands, or hanging hooks can scratch or poke the ear. This seems unlikely now, but when running around, multitasking, or rushing, it’s possible.
Ear Health and Cold Weather
Conditions that can affect ear health are brought on by the cold of winter. The ear canal usually constricts in response to cold air, retaining moisture and increasing the chances of an infection. Any exposure to wind or water, especially during outdoor events or while participating in water activities like ice skating, can irritate the skin around the ears. It can also cause surfer’s ear, a condition that affects the ear when it’s exposed to cold wind and water.
Although it is uncommon, frostbite can also damage the ears when temperatures drop significantly. The ear is particularly susceptible to cold injuries because of its thin skin and restricted blood flow. Protection is provided by covering the ears with scarves, hats, or earmuffs.
Unexpected Infections During the Holidays
Some of the common ear problems include congestion, sinus infections, and colds, all of which happen during the winter months. When fluid is trapped behind the eardrum after having a cold, one ends up with a middle ear infection. Ignoring it will cause pressure to build up and cause hearing changes, even damaging the eardrum in the worst cases.
Bacteria that lead to outer ear infections will grow when spending time in a heated indoor pool or hot tub. Other humid conditions give bacteria the room to enter the ear canal. Avoiding cotton swabs and drying the ears regularly can also prevent bacteria from growing.
Taking Care of Hearing Health and Reacting Fast
Medical appointments and persistent ear pain should not be the focus of the holidays; instead, they should be a time of joy. Prompt care is important if there is any sudden change in hearing, ringing, or discomfort. Early assessment can stop short-term problems from turning into long-term ones. If treated promptly, even minor injuries can heal without causing long-term problems.
Speaking with a hearing health professional can help identify the cause and the best course of action for anyone experiencing abrupt ear symptoms or hearing changes following a holiday mishap. Professionals are able to evaluate damage, safely remove obstacles, and suggest treatment for trauma or infections.