Summertime is vacation time. Whether your vacation includes hopping on a long flight to another city or taking a road trip around Utah, it’s important to keep an eye out for potential ear-related hazards. Let’s look at ear risks while traveling and how you can protect yourself.
Airplane Ear
Airplane ear, also called ear barotrauma, occurs when there is an imbalance in air pressure between your middle ear and your environment. While it’s most common on airplanes, it can happen during any swift elevation changes. The pressure imbalance can cause a few symptoms, including:
- Ear discomfort
- Muffled hearing
- Feeling of fullness in the ears
If the pressure imbalance is severe, your symptoms may expand to include:
- Ear pain
- Worsening pressure in the ear
- Ear bleeding
- Ringing in the ears
- Worsening hearing loss
- Vertigo
Because airplane ear occurs when the Eustachian tubes in the ear can’t equalize pressure, preventive methods focus on opening the tubes. Try a few of the following next time you fly or drive through the mountains:
- Swallow or yawn
- Chew gum
- Take small drinks of water
- Blow your nose gently
- Wear airplane earplugs that help regulate pressure
- Blow air through your nose while you pinch your nose and close your mouth
If you have severe or long-lasting symptoms of airplane ear, schedule an appointment with one of our ENT specialists for an exam.
Loud Noise Exposure
Any noise at or above 85 decibels (dB) can damage the delicate inner ear cells that transmit sound, leading to permanent hearing loss. The tunes through your stereo on a road trip or headphones on a flight can easily surpass the threshold for safe listening. While traveling, follow these safety precautions to protect your hearing without sacrificing your music:
- Set decibel limits. Decibel limits are a helpful feature in your smartphone’s headphone safety settings. Set the limit below 85 dB to protect your hearing.
- Use noise-isolating headphones. Noise-isolating headphones allow you to listen to your music at a lower volume. Over-the-ear headphones are an excellent option, but noise-canceling earbuds will also work.
- Measure the volume. If you listen to the radio in your car, you may not be able to set decibel limits. Instead, download a decibel meter and measure the volume of your music at each level. Once it hits 85dB, make note of the volume level (50%, 75%, etc.) and don’t raise it above that level while driving.
For more information about safeguarding your ear or hearing health, contact South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.