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Can Allergies Affect an Individual’s Hearing?

Can Allergies Affect an Individual’s Hearing?

Yes, allergies can affect your hearing as well as other parts. Allergy patients incur the danger of temporary hearing loss in addition to the usual array of cold-like symptoms, such as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and post-nasal drip.

For obvious reasons, having a loss of hearing can be a scary and intrusive symptom of allergies. You need to consult with the experts at Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Medical Group to get the proper treatment you need so your hearing can be protected.

Call 805-658-9500 to learn more about how allergies can affect your hearing and continue reading below. Feel free to reach out to us online on our Contact Page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

First Off, What Are Allergies?

When your immune system comes in contact with an otherwise harmless material, it misinterprets it and develops allergies. Histamines are substances that are released into the bloodstream in response to an attack. These result in swelling, itching, and increased mucus production, which are hallmarks of allergies.

Allergies can impact more than only the eyes and nasal passages. The ears are also delicate. Ear infections, ear pressure or fullness, dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss are common side effects of allergies.

Temporary hearing loss can result from an ear infection that prevents sound from reaching the ears.  Allergies in the middle ear can result in fluid accumulation in the Eustachian tube, a small organ that balances the pressure in the ears, leading to an ear infection. Permanent hearing loss could result if not properly treated.

When there is an allergic reaction, inner ear conditions like Meniere’s disease might get worse, leading to unpredictable hearing loss and tinnitus.

Ways to Protect Your Hearing from Allergies

Although you cannot cure allergies, there are critical ways that can be implemented into your lifestyle. If you practice these strategies, you will see a major improvement when it comes to your symptoms:

  • Limiting outdoor time
  • Over-the-counter antihistamines can help reduce symptoms
  • Invest in air conditioning rather than having windows open
  • Take showers after being outside
  • We know it’s hard, but keep pets off your bed or out of the bedroom entirely

Practice these key strategies, and you’ll see symptoms reduce in severity and frequency.

If Your Allergies Persist

If you have done all you can to prevent allergies from affecting you, it is time to visit a specialist. At Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Medical Group, we have the knowledge and experience so mastered that Allergy is in our name. We can help you if you call 805-658-9500 to book an appointment where you’ll meet with our expert medical team. You can book online for your convenience as well.