Can Allergies Cause Hearing Loss?

How Allergies Impact Hearing

When the immune system responds to allergens, it creates antibodies that discharge histamine and create an unfavorably susceptible reaction. The subsequent wheezing, tingling, and congestion expands bodily fluid creation, which can cause conductive hearing loss. 

Conductive hearing loss happens when something, such as liquid or earwax, keeps sound waves from moving through the ear and into the minor bones of the center ear. Conductive hearing loss isn’t permanent. However, it does make hearing more difficult. 

Don’t make the mistake of scratching your itch by placing anything inside your ear channel like a pin or cotton swab. Doing so will only cause more harm. Instead, contact our office or stop by to purchase one of our ear cleaning kits and/or anti-itch drops. We also recommend speaking to one of our audiologists. Our experienced audiology team at the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center will provide a screening to diagnose what is causing your issue to ensure you take the proper steps to avoid future damage or hearing loss.

Types of Allergy-Related Hearing Issues

Fullness: Excess fluid in the ear creates pressure or a clogged feeling in the ear. The fluid presses against the eardrum, causing discomfort and making it more difficult to hear. In most cases, this discomfort will dissipate with time. However, if you’re experiencing any pain, this condition could be a symptom of an ear infection, and you should seek medical attention immediately.

Conductive Hearing Loss: Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves can’t properly flow through the ear and into the tiny bones of the middle ear. Excess fluid or earwax may interfere with sound as it travels to the cochlea. Although conductive hearing loss is curable and may improve naturally, it’s difficult to determine if hearing loss is temporary, curable, or permanent without thorough testing. 

If you experience sudden or noticeable hearing loss, it should be treated as an emergency. Immediately schedule an appointment with an audiologist. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to treat. Your hearing is critical, so take proper precautions to ensure your well-being. 

Tinnitus: Allergy-related tinnitus (ringing in the ears) occurs when tinnitus develops alongside other allergy symptoms. If you have issues with seasonal allergies and tinnitus, please schedule a consultation with Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center to see how we can help you.