The beaches of Mount Eliza and the wider Mornington Peninsula offer the perfect summer escape, but the combination of sun, salt, and water can be harsh on your hearing health and sensitive ear technology. At Stay Tuned Hearing, we want you to enjoy every wave and conversation this season without risking costly device damage or painful infections.
Here is your essential guide to preparing your ears and hearing aids for a safe and sound summer at the seaside.
1. Essential Care for Your Hearing Devices at the Beach
Your hearing instruments require extra vigilance during the hot, sun-shining months. Water, heat, and chemicals can all cause severe damage:
The Danger of Water and Heat
- Remove Before Splashing: While modern hearing aids are often designed to be water- and sweat-resistant, they are generally not waterproof. You must remove your hearing aids before swimming, surfing, or heading into the shower. Submerging them in water can cause damage. Always store them in a protective, cool, dry case while enjoying the water.
- Wipe Down Moisture: Increased summer activity, sweat, and high humidity are common. If you live in a high humidity environment, you should regularly wipe down your devices with a dry cloth. You can also use a hearing aid dehumidifier or a dry box overnight to help remove excess moisture and extend the life of your devices.
- Beware of Extreme Temperatures: Never leave your hearing aids in places exposed to extreme heat, such as inside a parked car in the sun. Extreme heat can cause the devices to warp or even crack. When not in use, always store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Check Batteries Frequently: Hot weather can cause zinc-air hearing aid batteries to dry out much quicker in very dry, hot environments. This reduces their lifespan, so it is wise to check them regularly and carry spare batteries as a backup.
The Chemical Hazard: Sunscreen and Repellent
Sunscreen and insect repellent are non-negotiable for a Victorian summer, but they are a risk to your hearing aids:
- The chemicals in suntan lotion (as well as hairspray and perfume) can damage your hearing aid.
- Always remove your hearing aid before applying these products.
- Allow the product to dry completely on your skin before putting your hearing devices back on.
2. Protecting Your Ear Canal from Summer Infections
Whether you wear hearing aids or not, spending time swimming dramatically increases the risk of painful ear infections like Swimmer’s Ear and Otomycosis (Fungal Ear Infection).
Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)
Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear canal infection often caused by water remaining in the ear, which creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
- Symptoms: This infection may start with mild symptoms like itching and slight pain when you pull on the outer ear. If untreated, symptoms can progress to increasing pain, a feeling of fullness inside the ear, and decreased or muffled hearing.
- Prevention: To keep your ears dry, consider wearing waterproof earplugs while swimming, surfing, or participating in water sports,. After swimming or bathing, tip your head to help water drain out, and use a blow dryer on the lowest setting (held at least one foot away) to safely dry the outer ear canal.
Fungal Ear Infections (Otomycosis)
Fungal ear infections are less common than bacterial ones, but they are most frequent during hotter months because funguses thrive in warm and humid air,.
- If you swim, surf, or participate in watersports, you are at a higher risk.
- Symptoms include intense itching, earache, discharge, and sometimes hearing loss. These infections are not likely to clear up without professional treatment.
The Unseen Threat: Dehydration and Earwax
Summer heat and outdoor activity can lead to dehydration.
- Dehydration can result in thickened ear wax. When earwax becomes impacted, it can cause discomfort, decreased hearing, and even infection.
- For those with hearing aids, the device itself can sometimes pack cerumen deeper into the ear canal, compounding the issue. Stay hydrated to help maintain healthy ear function.
3. Don’t Forget Sunscreen for Your Ears
Your ears are highly exposed to sunlight and are susceptible to painful sunburn. Overexposure to UV radiation increases your risk of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, which often occurs on the ears, face, and neck.
- Always wear a hat or visor to provide shade for your ears.
- Apply sunscreen to your ears to avoid painful sunburn, which can increase your risk of infection.
Although technically not a part of Audiology, we care about the health of your ears and using sunscreen effectively while not damaging your hearing devices is important to that overall health.
Enjoy a Safe Summer with Stay Tuned Hearing
If you experience that tell-tale feeling of fullness, muffled hearing, or severe ear itchiness after a day at the beach, don’t wait. Infections like Swimmer’s Ear and Otomycosis won’t go away without professional intervention.
Contact Stay Tuned Hearing in Mount Eliza today to schedule a check-up. We offer comprehensive hearing assessments and professional wax removal services to clear impacted cerumen safely, ensuring your ears are clean, dry, and ready for whatever the Victorian summer throws at you.
Stay Tuned Hearing Clinic
Stay Tuned Hearing are specialists in the audiological field.
Being an independent Audiologist, we provide professional and unbiased advice.