The Met Office has issued a rare extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales from Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25, cautioning that adverse health effects are likely for most people. Now audiologist Kayleigh Waters from Boots Hearingcare is alerting the public to the lesser-known impacts of scorching temperatures on hearing and ear health.
Sunburn and Tinnitus
Waters explained that sunburn can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. Tinnitus involves hearing sounds without an external source, such as ringing, buzzing, or humming. She noted that intense sun exposure leads to inflammation, which can worsen tinnitus, and sunburn also causes physical stress and dehydration—both factors that heighten symptoms. To prevent this, she recommends staying out of the sun during peak midday hours, applying and reapplying SPF, and wearing a hat.
Swimmer's Ear
During the heatwave, many seek relief in water, but swimming can lead to water trapped in the ear. While ear wax repels water, trapped water can cause infections like swimmer's ear. Symptoms of trapped water include tingling, fullness in the ear canal, muffled hearing, or partial hearing loss. Waters advises seeking medical advice if these symptoms are accompanied by pain, itching, redness, or swelling.
Dehydration's Impact on Inner Ear
Dehydration is common in high temperatures and affects the inner ear, which relies on proper hydration for hearing and balance. Symptoms include ringing in the ears, dizziness, or muffled hearing. Waters recommends increasing fluid intake to 8–10 glasses per day during warm periods, compared to the NHS's standard 6–8 glasses.
Those concerned about their hearing can book a free test at Boots Hearingcare or through the NHS.
