The risks for hearing in summer

The sun's UV rays can cause damage to our ears such as:

• reddening of the skin, 
• infection, 
• inflammation, 
• pain, 
• sunstroke which can affect hearing. 

To protect our ears from the sun, just wear a hat and apply sunscreen to exposed areas.

Water and humidity can also seriously affect our ears.

In fact, there are many risks associated with salt water, sand and chlorine used to disinfect swimming pools. Often, the presence of bacteria and other micro-organisms can lead to otitis and infections in summer. To protect your ears, it is important to follow a few tips:

• Wear earplugs
• Avoid diving into the water if there is algae or floating debris.                                                             
• Dry your ears thoroughly after leaving the pool or beach.

In summer, the temperature rises and, as a result, the air conditioners are switched on. Air conditioning dries out the environment and this affects the nasal mucous membranes, which no longer fulfil their function properly.

The use of air conditioning is often the most common cause of otitis media in summer, because if bacteria or viruses penetrate and cause an infection in a person, it is very common for it to spread, due to the nose-mouth-ear connection. Therefore, to protect our ears from air conditioning we should: 

• Avoid prolonged use 
• Turn it off at night 
• Use a humidifier in the room.

In summer, people tend to travel more, and one of the most popular forms of transport is undoubtedly the plane.

During take-off (and landing), due to variations in air pressure in the aircraft cabin, it is common to experience discomfort in the ears.

It is important to protect our ears in these situations, so during take-off and landing swallowing, chewing or yawning can help to balance the air pressure. Also, if after landing you still have a feeling of discomfort in your ears, you can practice the Valsalva manoeuvre.

At first glance, you may not think home improvement projects are as dangerous to your hearing as a rock concert, but they can be. The estimated decibel levels of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed trimmers, hedge trimmers, chain saws and power tools can be as damaging as listening to loud music for an extended period of time.

Going on the road or out on the open sea could affect your hearing. The estimated decibel levels from wind and engine noise when riding motorbikes, boats, jet skis and ATVs could cause hearing loss. Also road construction work can spoil the fun of any ride unexpectedly. Jackhammers and other noisy construction equipment could affect your hearing.

It may come as a surprise to learn that even outdoor events can be too noisy. Cheering at sporting competitions, bands playing in a parade and concerts in an acoustic shell can all reach damaging levels. Remember to protect your ears and those of your little ones to ensure everyone's hearing health.

A loud bang could permanently affect your hearing. Therefore avoid lighting fireworks yourself and keep a safe distance from firecrackers. It is best to enjoy the shows that are offered in the city's parks and are performed by professionals.

If you are doing one of these activities, think about these 5 things to determine if the event is too noisy:

• If you have to shout above the background noise to be heard
• If you can hear people talking to you, but can't understand what they're saying
• If the decibel application on your smartphone indicates that the volume is above 85dB
• If the noise is causing pain in your ears
• If you have ringing in your ears during or after the event