Protecting Your Hearing During Wisconsin Winters: What You Should Know

Wisconsin winters are no joke. Between freezing winds, snow blowers roaring, and the constant back-and-forth from the cold outdoors to warm indoors, your ears go through a lot this time of year. While most people bundle up with coats and boots, hearing health often gets overlooked, and it shouldn’t. 

Here’s how winter weather affects your ears and what you can do to keep your hearing protected all season long. 

Why Cold Weather Impacts Your Ears 

Cold air dries out your ears. 

The skin inside your ear canal is thin and sensitive. As winds whip around you, the cold can dry out and irritate your ear canal, making it more prone to wax buildup that becomes hard and uncomfortable. 

Winter illness can affect hearing. 

Everyone knows that colds, sinus infections, and overall congestion are more common in the winter. All of these can affect how your eustachian tubes drain fluid from your ears. Your eustachian tubes are tiny tubes found in each ear that connect to the back of your throat, allowing fluid to drain from your ears and pressure to be relieved. When that tube gets blocked, your ears may feel full or painful, and sounds may feel muffled or “underwater.” 

Loud winter activities add extra risk. 

Snow blowers, snowmobiles, power tools, and even cheering at hockey rinks can reach unsafe noise levels. Bulky hats or hoods can also sometimes prevent hearing protection from fitting the way it should. When warm layers break the tight fit of your hearing protection around your ears, more loud noises sneak in, increasing your risk of noise-related hearing damage. 

Easy Ways to Protect Your Hearing This Winter 

These quick habits can make a big difference for your ears: 

1. Keep Your Ears Covered 

A warm hat, headband, or earmuffs helps block harsh wind and keeps the ear canal from drying out. Even a quick walk from the car to the store is easier on your ears when they’re covered. 

2. Use Hearing Protection for Noisy Tasks 

Snow blowers can reach around 100 decibels, loud enough to damage hearing over time. If you’re using loud equipment, wear earplugs or earmuffs, and make sure they fit well with your winter gear. The goal is to keep your ears warm and protected. 

A tip: If earmuffs don’t fit properly over a hat, switch to earplugs under your hat instead. 

3. Dry Your Ears (and Hearing Aids) After Coming Indoors 

Moisture from snow and temperature changes can affect both your ears and your devices. The quick shift from cold outdoor air to warm indoor air can irritate the skin in your ear canal and create a damp environment that makes the ear canal more prone to irritation or infection. When you come inside, gently pat your outer ears dry with a soft towel. Don’t rub the ear, and don’t insert a cotton swab. 

If you wear hearing aids, wipe them down with a clean, dry cloth, then open the battery doors to let any trapped moisture escape. For extra protection, place them in a drying box overnight to keep them working their best all winter long. 

4. Pay Attention to Changes in Your Hearing 

Winter often brings symptoms that can affect how well you hear, like muffled sounds, a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ears, discomfort when swallowing, or needing to turn up the TV more than usual. If these changes stick around or start to impact your daily routines, it’s a good idea to schedule a hearing check. 

5. Take Noise Breaks 

After using loud equipment or spending time somewhere noisy (like an ice rink), give your ears a few quiet minutes to recover. Short periods of rest help reduce strain on your hearing, which can become fatigued after loud noise. Even small breaks throughout the day can make a meaningful difference in protecting your long-term hearing. 

Winter Hearing Care Basics 

Think of winter hearing care as an extension of your current cold weather routine. You need to wear a hat, gloves, and give your hearing a little extra attention. Cover your ears, protect them from loud equipment, keep everything dry, give yourself quiet moments, and don’t ignore new symptoms. A little awareness goes a long way. 

We’re Here to Help All Winter Long 

Whether you’re noticing new hearing changes, need custom earplugs for winter chores, or just want a hearing check for peace of mind, HEAR Wisconsin has you covered. 

Our Doctors of Audiology provide complete hearing exams, custom protection, and personalized guidance to help you stay connected and safe in every season. 

Contact HEAR Wisconsin’s Audiology Clinic at 414-604-7219 to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. 

Stay warm, stay safe, and take care of your ears. Wisconsin winters may be harsh, but they don’t have to be hard on your hearing.