Don’t go deaf while trying to cool down.

Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Dr. Hüsamettin Olgun, who stated that there is an increase in ear-nose diseases due to microbes transmitted from pools and seas, said, ‘This is even more important for patients who previously had a perforated eardrum, because contaminated water can directly reach the middle ear, inner ear, ear nerve, and brain. It can result in permanent deafness.’ With the arrival of summer months, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Dr. Hüsamettin Olgun from Medicana Bursa Hospital pointed out that people generally prefer pools or seas to cool off and have fun, stating, ‘However, the microbes and humid environment in these waters can cause ear infections. Ear infections can cause discomfort, pain, and ruin your vacation pleasure. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent ear infections in pools and seas with some simple precautions.’ Dr. Hüsamettin Olgun emphasized that the most common complaints to ear, nose and throat doctors in summer are external ear canal inflammations caused by the sea and pool, saying, ‘Bacteria and fungi accumulated in the external ear canal cause severe pain, discharge, and sensitivity in the auricle. Patients especially come to us with complaints such as severe ear pain, swelling and discharge in the ear, ear ringing, hearing loss, dizziness. Microbe-infested water from pools and seas rapidly spreads in the external ear canal and affects the eardrum, leading to severe pain, congestion, and hearing loss. If the inflammatory condition progresses, it can rupture the eardrum, reaching the middle and inner ear, and even the brain, causing meningitis and encephalitis. This is even more crucial for patients with a perforated eardrum, as contaminated water can directly reach the middle ear, inner ear, ear nerve, and brain. If not taken care of and precautions are not taken, the infection can progress and become chronic, resulting in permanent deafness.’
‘We should not stay in the sun excessively.’ Hüsamettin Olgun also expressed that middle ear pressure trauma, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, throat and esophagus, stomach and intestinal infections due to unhygienic food consumption are also increasing in the summer season. ‘We should not enter pools and seas in places we are not sure are clean. We should not enter pools disinfected with chlorine. We should not consume unhygienic foods. We should not stay in the sun excessively. We should have a balanced diet and consume plenty of fluids. We should exercise, pay attention to our sleep. We should not fiddle with our ears with random objects. When an external ear canal middle ear infection occurs, it is essential to urgently consult an ENT specialist without progression.’