Parents’ Guide to Kids’ Ear Health During School Holidays

School holidays are an exciting time for children, full of swimming, travel, and extra screen time. But all this fun can sometimes create challenges for their ear health. As a parent, knowing how to protect your child’s ears, prevent infections, and manage ear wax is essential. This guide provides practical tips and advice to help your child maintain healthy ears while enjoying the break.


Swimmer’s Ear: How Parents Can Protect Kids

Children often spend more time in pools, lakes, or the ocean during school holidays. While fun, this can increase the risk of swimmer’s ear (otitis externa), an infection caused by water remaining in the ear canal, creating a moist environment for bacteria.

Tips for parents:

  • Encourage your child to wear earplugs while swimming.
  • Ensure ears are dried thoroughly after water activities.
  • Seek professional advice if redness, pain, or discharge appears.

Regular ear checks with The Ear Nurses can help prevent complications and ensure optimal ear health for kids.


Ear Health During Travel: Tips for Parents

Flights and changes in altitude can cause ear discomfort for children. Teaching your child simple ear equalisation techniques can provide relief and prevent pain.

Parent tips for air travel:

  • Encourage yawning or chewing gum during ascent and descent.
  • Practice ear equalisation exercises before flying.
  • Schedule an ear check with The Ear Nurses prior to travel.

Managing Screen Time and Noise Exposure

Holidays often mean more screen time and exposure to loud environments like parties, events, or crowded venues. Both can affect hearing if not managed carefully.

Parental guidance:

  • Keep screen volumes moderate and limit listening time.
  • Take regular breaks from headphones or devices.
  • Provide ear protection, such as earplugs, in noisy settings.

Teaching children about safe listening habits helps prevent noise-induced hearing loss.


Preventing Ear Injuries from Foreign Objects

Curiosity is natural in young children, but inserting small objects into ears can lead to pain, infection, or hearing damage.

Tips for parents:

  • Supervise children closely.
  • Avoid using cotton buds or sharp objects in the ear.
  • Contact The Ear Nurses immediately if a foreign object is suspected.

Ear Wax Build-Up in Children

Ear wax problems are not just for adults—children, including toddlers and teenagers, can experience wax build-up, which may reduce hearing and affect communication.

Parental advice:

  • Schedule regular ear assessments.
  • Learn safe ear cleaning techniques.
  • Seek professional ear wax removal if necessary.

Supporting Your Child’s Ear Health

By following the tips in this Parents’ Guide to Kids’ Ear Health, you can help your child enjoy school holidays while maintaining healthy ears. Regular ear assessments, proper ear cleaning, and timely intervention for any ear-related issues ensure your child can play, swim, travel, and enjoy screen time without discomfort.

Book a children’s ear health check with The Ear Nurses today to keep your child’s ears healthy throughout the school holidays.