When you’re traveling around the world, are you taking care of your health properly? Now, there is more than enough info online for travelers. You’re going to get those tips about how you still need adequate sleep; you should avoid alcohol, eat healthy, and get in exercise. These are all standard, and at this rate, just about every healthy traveler knows to do these things (the same goes for traveling professionals like flight attendants).
Well, with that said, there’s still one thing to note- it’s the different aspects of your health. For example, your hearing health. Is this something that you’re currently taking care of? While it’s true that you should see an audiologist annually, and that should help you with interpreting your hearing test details, it doesn’t really end there either.
Actually, how can you take care of that? Usually, in hotels, the little vanity kits have cotton swabs. Is that enough? No! When it comes to your hearing health, just like other aspects, it’s a bit complex. But you can still maintain hearing health no matter where you are. So, here’s how!
Pack the Essentials
Just as you wouldn’t start your journey without your passport or travel insurance, don’t forget to pack the essentials for protecting your hearing health. It’s kind of like the equivalent of getting a good pair of sunglasses before your trip. So, with that said, you’ll want to invest in a quality pair of earplugs to block out excessive noise during flights, concerts, or noisy accommodations. The high frequencies can be really bad for your ears. In fact, just try to be careful with noise levels, especially if you know you’re going somewhere that’s super loud.
Be Mindful of Noise Exposure
So this pretty much piggybacks on what’s being said right above, but it deserves a bit more detail. Generally speaking, traveling often exposes folks to a wide range of noise levels, from the roar of jet engines to the clamor of crowded tourist attractions. Yes, even the loud sound of an airplane you’re on could potentially have some damage to your ear (mostly if you’re flying pretty often).
So, that’s why you need to be mindful of your exposure to loud noises and take steps to minimize potential harm to your hearing. Yes, you should wear earplugs, but that doesn’t end there. If you have earbuds in (like on a long flight), you can’t blast these as high as they can go, either. A lot of people travel to loud events like air shows, concerts, fireworks, and music festivals- so by all means, you need to wear proper protection for these, but you still need to take regular breaks in quieter settings to give your ears a chance to recover.
Protect Your Ears When Swimming
Did you know that exposure to water can increase the risk of ear infections and other ear-related issues? What happens is that bacteria and fungi from the water get into the canals of your ear, which then leads to a breeding ground that eventually turns into an infection. While sure, a swimmer’s ear is annoying after a day at the pool or beach, but this can be quite a big issue! That’s why you need to wear waterproof earplugs specifically designed for swimming or water sports.
