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Hearing Loss
July 12, 2023
8 Min

How to cope with tinnitus from cold weather months

Tinnitus presents as a persistent ringing, buzzing or clicking in the ears. Cold weather can intensify symptoms. Click here to read more about it!

Author:
Juana Poareo
How to cope with tinnitus from cold weather months
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Introduction

You know that persistent ringing, buzzing, or clicking in your ears or head? That’s tinnitus. Some 740 million people around the world suffer from the same affliction. 

Tinnitus occurs when you hear sounds that aren’t present, which can impact your quality of life. Tinnitus from cold weather may worsen the buzzing and ringing in the ears.   

In this article, we’ll discuss tinnitus from cold weather. We’ll also give you some tips to help you manage it during the winter months.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is often described as hearing sounds when there’s no noise around you. It may present as ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, or even roaring sounds in the ears. This persistent noise can be distressing and affect concentration and sleep quality. 

Tinnitus is usually associated with hearing loss. Other possible causes are ear infections and certain medications.  

Most tinnitus sufferers are older adults, and men apparently suffer from this more than women. The symptoms can be temporary or lifelong. 

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How Cold Weather Affects Tinnitus

When the temperature drops, people with tinnitus may notice increasing ringing and buzzing. Considering that cold weather causes various illnesses, from the common cold to respiratory infections, this can affect the inside of the ear. Remember how having a cold or flu affects your sense of taste and smell? The ears can become congested, too, leading to earwax buildup. 

Lower temperatures can also cause tightening of the muscles and blood vessels in the body, increasing tinnitus symptoms. This also happens when depression and anxiety set in during the winter, when there’s little exposure to sunlight.  

Impact of Cold Temperatures on Tinnitus

Older woman with short silver hair suffering from tinnitus. She is holding her fingers to temples with a pained look on her face.
Older woman with short silver hair suffering from tinnitus. She is holding her fingers to temples with a pained look on her face.

Cold temperatures can impact tinnitus in different ways. Some sufferers may experience irritability due to the more persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears. 

Others may find it more challenging to engage in social activity, as they struggle to focus or follow conversations with the internal noise. Low quality sleep can also be an issue, especially as the body attempts to conserve heat during the winter months.  

These increased symptoms can make winter an especially challenging time for people with tinnitus.

Managing Tinnitus During Cold Weather

Although there isn’t a cure for tinnitus, there are ways to bring yourself relief, particularly during cold weather. Here are some actions you can take: 

  • Protect your ears: Wear ear warmers when you go outside. This will help shield your ears from the bitter cold and wind, reducing the risk of exacerbating your symptoms.
  • Stay warm: Maintaining a normal body temperature can improve blood circulation and relax your muscles, potentially reducing any worsening of tinnitus. Dress in layers and wear winter clothing, especially focusing on the neck and head. 
  • Manage your stress: Stress has been known to worsen tinnitus symptoms. Engage in activities for stress relief, such as meditation or prayer, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.
  • ‍Stay active: Regular exercise boosts blood circulation and promotes overall well-being. Engage in physical activity indoors or do winter sports, which can help reduce stress and increase endorphin levels.
  • Sound therapy: Ambient noise can help mask the ringing and buzzing. Use sound therapy devices, such as white noise machines or smartphone apps, to create a calming environment.

Preventing Cold-Related Tinnitus

Older man and older woman in sitting yoga pose, with their eyes closed.
Older man and older woman in sitting yoga pose, with their eyes closed.

Prevention is always better than cure. To minimize symptoms of tinnitus from cold weather, consider taking these following actions: 

  • Protective headgear: When engaging in outdoor activities during cold weather, wear a warm hat or headband to cover your ears. This added layer of protection will shield your ears from harsh winds and frigid temperatures.
  • Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps to maintain healthy blood circulation. Good hydration is essential for overall well-being and can help relieve tinnitus from cold temperatures.
  • Avoid excessive noise: Exposure to loud noises can aggravate tinnitus. Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid places where there’s too much noise. Using headphones or earpieces can protect your ears and prevent further damage.

Conclusion

While tinnitus can be challenging, understanding how to manage tinnitus from cold weather is crucial. By being proactive and following the tips mentioned above, people with tinnitus can better navigate the winter months and potentially reduce the intensity of their symptoms. 

Remember, prevention and self-care are key in managing tinnitus, especially during the winter. Stay warm, protect your ears, and seek support from health care professionals that specialize in tinnitus management. With the right approach, you can reclaim control over your life and decrease the symptoms of tinnitus from cold weather. 

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Juana Poareo

The founder of Being Access-able, an accessibility resource hub for brands and entrepreneurs. She also writes about accessibility and advocacy.

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How to cope with tinnitus from cold weather months

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.