When you think of hearing loss, you likely don't associate allergies with it. In reality, your hearing can be significantly affected by environmental allergies. Understanding how allergy season can affect your hearing allows you to better understand what you need to do to treat your allergy-related hearing loss.

How Do Allergies Impact Hearing Loss?

When your body detects an allergen in your body, it will respond by releasing histamine from its antibodies. This natural body chemical can cause inflammation in areas of the body that it attacks. Most people end up with itchy eyes and a runny nose.

However, some people experience congestion that increases their mucus production. When this production is high, it can result in fluid build-up in the ear canal. In some cases, the Eustachian tube that connects your throat to your middle ear can also become inflamed. These conditions can lead to difficulty hearing and even balance issues.

This type of hearing loss is typically referred to as conductive hearing loss. This means that it's temporary and caused by a blockage in the inner ear. In the case of allergy season, this fluid build-up will prevent sound waves from fully flowing through the ear. You may experience hearing loss or muffled noises as a result.

How You Can Treat Allergy-Related Hearing Loss

One of the best ways to help manage hearing loss due to allergies is to prevent your allergies from flaring up. If they don't flare up, there will be no swelling near your ear that can obstruct your hearing. The most popular medications used to prevent allergy flare-ups are Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec. It's crucial to note that these medications are tested safe for long-term use. Be mindful of the allergy medications you take, as some, such as Benadryl, Afrin, and Sudafed, aren't safe for long-term use.

If you've tried over-the-counter allergy treatments to no avail, it may be time to speak with your doctor. Depending on the severity of your seasonal allergies, you may need immunotherapy. These are oral drops or allergy shots that assist with providing a long-term solution for your allergy systems. When your allergy symptoms are gone, your conductive hearing loss will fade away.

Apart from getting medication to treat your allergy flare-ups, there are some home remedies that you can utilize to reduce your hearing loss symptoms. A hot shower can be a great way to help clear out the Eustachian tube and release the blockage in your ear. You may find that boosting your indoor cleaning efforts throughout the spring and summer can significantly reduce your allergy flare-ups. If you have pets, consider bathing them more often in the spring to help keep their pet dander to a minimum.

Contact Us Today

If you have trouble hearing, it's time to talk with one of our hearing care specialists at Beltone Dallas Fort Worth. They can assess your level of hearing loss and make recommendations on how to best treat it.