While it may not always feel like it, there are warmer days ahead! Spring has sprung and we are all ready to escape our winter cocoons and head out into the world. However, we first need to make sure that we are protecting our ears. Warmer months can mean more time outdoors, but it can also mean more ear-damaging activities.

Dr. Nikki, an audiologist in Omaha, has a few simple tips that can help your ears this season!

Wear ear protection

Warm weather means it’s time to get lawns back in shape for the summer. The months off from mowing are over. While mowing the grass is not inherently bad, it can be dangerous for your ears if you do not take the proper precautions! Lawnmowers can reach 90 decibels which is higher than the 85 decibels that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends for maximum volume without wearing ear protection. So in order to keep your ears and hearing safe, always wear earmuffs or earplugs when mowing your lawn.

Keep the volume down

Along with mowing the lawn, you might take this springtime to plant some flowers and do some gardening. Many people like to listen to music or podcasts while they work, which is great, as long as it is at an appropriate volume. Whether you are listening via speakers or headphones, make sure you pay attention to your volume level.

This is particularly true when you are using earbud headphones. Any audiologist in Omaha would recommend over the ear headphones as opposed to earbuds, but one of the best options is noise-cancelling headphones. Output limiting headphones are another great option.  They cap the volume at safe levels so even if you do turn up your music, you can also be assured it is always safe.

Be wary of water

Pooltime is one of the best warm season activities, but it can also pose a danger to your ears! Swimmers' ear, or Otitis Externa, is a very painful condition that people can get from swimming or bathing. The best way to avoid this condition is to keep your ears as dry as possible and make sure you are getting all of the moisture out after a water activity. If you notice water getting stuck in your ears, you can try gently pulling on your earlobe with your head tilted to the side. If this turns into a consistent problem, you might want to make an appointment with an audiologist in Omaha to talk about water exposure ear protection.

Keep your hearing aids moisture-free

With all the humidity in the air and the sweat from your skin, it can be easy for your hearing aid to suffer from moisture damage. While over the years hearing aids have become more water resistant, it is still possible for your hearing aid to perform at less than optimal levels due to water damage. Luckily, Dr. Nikki, an audiologist in Omaha, has access to the Redux machine, an innovative tool that dries out your hearing technology in under 10 minutes!

Visit us

Come and visit Active Hearing Health this spring to take care of your ears! We can help you with preventative actions, diagnosing existing problems, recommending solutions and fixing the technology you already own. Just contact us!