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As we mentioned a few posts ago, we’ve been looking through our 12 years of News stories. Twelve years of News isn’t bad when most Blogs last for about 12 days! Anyway, with the sun blazing through our office window, we came upon this timely little post which we thought we’d reshare.
Hearing Tips for Summer Travel
For those of us lucky enough to be jetting off abroad it’s worthwhile remembering that, although aircraft are pressurised, this doesn’t always mean our ears easily adapt to pressure change.
The ear has a natural mechanism to release pressure behind the eardrum when the air pressure around us alters. By swallowing or yawning we activate this process – and this is why airlines always used to hand out boiled sweets for landing – a service that’s sadly disappeared from all but main scheduled airlines.
So, if you’re flying, take some boiled sweets with you or, if you happen to be flying on certain routes with Air France you might be offered their new crème brûlée or pistachio macaron chewing gum! Yummy!
To read more, look here: https://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press-releases/air-france-presents-la-gomme-macher
This article was first posted in 2017 and, surprise, surprise, there’s been no mention of Air France’s lovely chewing gum since. Perhaps one of our readers will let us know if it does still exist?
Seeing this article did remind us though. With so many people going away over the summer, it’s important not to forget our ears! Whether you’re a hearing aid wearer or not, the stresses and strains of travel – planes, pressure, heat, moisture, noise and more – can all affect our hearing and ear health.
And so, here’s our quick… 2024 Safety Guide to…
Hearing on Holiday
Whether you have perfect hearing or use hearing aids, protecting your ears while on holiday is essential for an enjoyable and trouble-free experience. Here are some practical tips for everyone to keep their ears in top shape while traveling. First, an obvious one for Hearing Aid users:
1. Pack Spare Hearing Aid Batteries!
If you use hearing aids, make sure to pack enough spare batteries. Batteries can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to be caught without power in an unfamiliar place. Bring at least twice as many as you think you’ll need. Also, consider a portable hearing aid charger if you use rechargeable batteries.
2. Protect Your Ears from Moisture
Holidays often involve water activities, from swimming to beach visits. Water can be harmful to your ears if not managed properly:
Consider Earplugs for swimming: Using waterproof earplugs to prevent water from entering your ears, which can lead to infections.
Dry your ears: After swimming, make sure to thoroughly dry your ears with a towel. Tilt your head to each side to help water drain out.
Avoid dirty water: Be cautious about swimming in water that looks dirty or stagnant to avoid ear infections.
3. Ear Protection on Planes
Flying can be challenging due to pressure changes and noise levels:
Earplugs or earmuffs: Use earplugs or noise-cancelling earmuffs to reduce the impact of loud noises on the plane.
Swallow and yawn (or chew Air France gum!): To help your ears adjust to pressure changes during takeoff and landing, swallow, yawn, or… chew gum.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your Eustachian tubes clear and functioning properly.
4. Communicate Your Needs
Informing those around you about your hearing needs can make your holiday more comfortable:
Quiet accommodations: When booking a hotel room, request one away from noisy areas like pools, elevators, or bars.
Noise levels: Although this may be obvious, choose quieter restaurants and activities to avoid excessive noise exposure.
5. Be Mindful of Noise Exposure
Holidays can sometimes involve loud environments, such as concerts, festivals, or busy streets:
Limit exposure: Try to limit the amount of time you spend in very noisy places.
Ear protection: Carry earplugs with you and use them in loud settings to protect your hearing.
Volume control: If you use headphones for music or movies (especially in noisy environments like planes and trains), keep the volume at a safe level.
6. Regular Ear Care
Maintaining good ear hygiene is important, especially while traveling:
Clean your ears: Never use cotton buds to clean your ears, as they can push wax deeper. Instead, use ear drops if you feel a build-up.
Monitor for infections: If you notice any pain, discharge, or hearing loss, seek medical advice promptly to address potential ear infections.
7. For your Holiday Emergency Kit
Essential items to address any ear-related issues:
Pain relievers: Pack over-the-counter pain relievers in case of ear discomfort or pain.
Ear drops: Bring ear drops for earwax removal or to treat swimmer’s ear.
Important contacts: Have contact information for local healthcare providers at your destination.
By taking these precautions, you can ensure that your holiday is enjoyable and free from ear-related issues, whether you have perfect hearing or use hearing aids. Enjoy your travels!