Geneva Hearing Services offers 5 tips for hearing your best this fall

Most people don't connect cooler temperatures to their hearing health, but they are linked.

"The chill and wetness of fall and winter can be hard on people's ears and their hearing devices," says Dr. Maria Morrison, audiologist at Geneva Hearing Services in Geneva. "A few simple preventive measures, however, can help smooth the transition into the colder seasons."

For the upcoming National Protect Your Hearing Month in October, Dr. Morrison offers five tips to set your ears and hearing up for success now and into the winter:

• Limit moisture: Mild respiratory infections are common in fall and winter, so if you develop a cold, take care to keep water out of the ears. Fluid buildup might occur, depending on illness severity and other factors, but introducing extra moisture into the ear canal won't help. If earaches develop, address them quickly with a doctor's appointment to help prevent further damage.

• Bring batteries: Low temperatures affect the functioning of nearly all battery-powered electronics - many smartphones, for example, will turn off or won't last as long when exposed to extreme cold - so always keep extra hearing aid batteries on hand.

• Wipe devices: Hearing aids are somewhat protected by body heat but still need to be cared for properly when worn outside. To prevent damage from moisture such as snow, sweat, and condensation, wipe down the battery compartment and your devices with a warm, dry cloth at least once daily, and store your aids in a dehumidifier overnight.

• Avoid wind: Heard of exostosis? Also known as "surfer's ear," it involves an overgrowth of bone in the ear canal due to repeated cold water and wind exposure. The condition makes it hard for the ear to naturally remove earwax and can lead to buildup, pain, infection, and hearing loss. Surgery can reverse the problem, but prevention - protecting the head with a thick wool hat, for example, and wearing earmuffs - is best.

• Beware tinnitus: Online searches for tinnitus - that ringing, buzzing, clicking, or humming in the ears - are most popular in wintertime, research has shown. It's unclear whether this means tinnitus worsens during the colder months. Chillier temps, however, can mean reduced circulation to extremities such as the ears, which may exacerbate the ringing. Wearing warm head coverings when outdoors, staying indoors on blustery days, and limiting exposure to icy conditions can help.

Geneva Hearing Services is a full-service, independently owned audiology practice proud to be bringing better hearing to the Fox Valley area for over 12 years. From their downtown Geneva location, the AudigyCertified hearing care practice has helped thousands of patients with their hearing and tinnitus issues and offers state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and expert fitting of hearing technology. Learn more at www.genevahearing.com.