Holiday check-up ‘ere

Anyone who is planning a holiday should think about their ears before they leave.
There is nothing worse than a blocked or painful ear to spoil a holiday.
Mardi, Geelong’s own ear nurse from Crystal Clear Ear clinic, sees many people who come home with a story of painful or blocked ears either from the plane flight or from swimming with an ear full of wax.
“Lots of people don’t realise they have wax in their ears and swimming on holidays, particularly in hot, humid climates, causes the wax to swell, making them deaf or causing pain and infection,” Mardi said.
An ear check prior to a holiday is a good investment and a good travel tip.
Some people suffer with pressure changes during the flight because the eustachian tube that joins the throat to the middle part of the ear doesn’t work well.
The popping and crackling noises when swallowing or chewing is the sound of air entering the ear, which is needed to equalise the air pressure on either side of the eardrum.
Chewing gum, drinking water or pinching the nose and blowing all help to open up the tube, preventing pain or damage to the ears.
To prevent problems some people need the extra help of some decongestant nose drops started within a day of the flight and during the flight prior to landing.
Those who have had trouble with blocked, waxy ears in the past should make time to see Mardi in Pako before their holiday.
Call Crystal Clear Ear Clinic on 1300 260 750 or book online at www.crystalclearclinic.com.au.