Understanding the Impact of Fall Allergies on Hearing Loss

It may be surprising to know that hearing loss can be influenced in a number of ways, including allergies. Whether you’re susceptible to hay fever in the summer, or you fall ill easily during the fall, there are plenty of reasons as to why your hearing might be impacted by this. Understanding the impact that fall has on your hearing and with hearing loss in general is useful so that you can tackle to problem properly.

In this guide, you’ll get a better idea of some of the common allergies that affect hearing and the symptoms. You’ll also learn what treatments are perhaps available for those with allergy-related hearing loss.

What Are Some Common Allergies that Affect Hearing?

Despite some believing that hay fever only impacts those with the allergy, during the summer, it’s something that can unfortunately cause problems during the fall too. Ear problems can occur every time the seasons change and the air fills with tree or grass pollen. That can lead to ear trouble for some. With the colder months rolling in, there ends up being a lot of mold spores released when humidity is high or the weather is dry and windy. You might find that a simple walk through the park, kicking the leaves up into the air, can stir agitating pollen and cause allergies to be set off.

Finally, if you work in a school environment, there are plenty of school allergens that can cause problems with your hearing. From classroom pets to chalk dust, these irritants can affect some who are prone to sensitivity in their ears.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss Due to Fall Allergies

What are the symptoms that one would experience when it comes to hearing loss due to fall allergies? Depending on how severe you have the allergy will often depend just how severe the symptoms are. Temporary hearing loss might not last long, it can be a frequent problem if you experience fall allergies regularly. Here are some of the typical symptoms of allergy-related hearing loss:

• Itchy ears
• Swollen ears
• Earache
• Blocked ears
• Vertigo
• A feeling of being imbalanced

What Treatments Are Available for Allergy-Related Hearing Loss?

If you’re currently experiencing allergy-related hearing loss or you know you’re susceptible to it in the fall, then it’s worth knowing what treatments might help alleviate the problem. With that being said, here are some useful treatments that might be beneficial for you to use.

Remove All Your Clothing and Put It in the Wash

Before you do anything else, remove all of the clothing you’re wearing and put it in the wash. That also means any scarves, hats and gloves that you might be wearing. This is to ensure all of the existing pollen or irritants that are clinging to your clothing are being removed. The last thing you want is to bring them into the home, spreading them across the entirety of your home like your couch or bed for example.

Wash Your Ears

Washing your ears can be helpful in treating the problem you’re experiencing with your ears and hearing. Use a warm cloth and dry thoroughly. If you don’t keep your ears dry, you’re more than likely to cause further infections and damage to your hearing. Talk with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist if you need a professional cleaning.

Inhale Steam

A good way to relieve the side effects of allergy-related hearing loss is by inhaling steam. This helps open up the eustachian tube which allows fluid to drain from the middle ear and relieve the blockage you’re experiencing. If you are experiencing a blockage in your ear, contact your ENT doctor to see what is causing this blockage and what would be the most effective treatment for you.

Take Over the Counter or Prescribed Allergy Relief Tablets

Finally, consider taking over-the-counter allergy relief tablets. If you notice that your allergies are still persistent contact your ENT specialist and they can prescribe you an allergy medication. Talk to them about the symptoms you are experiencing to get the best treatment plan.

Speak to an ENT Doctor for Advice on Your Hearing Problems

If you are experiencing temporary hearing loss that’s caused by fall-related allergies then be sure to speak to an ENT doctor for advice. An ENT doctor is a specialist when it comes to ear, nose and throat-related problems. If you want to learn more about our ear, nose and throat specialist contact Vero ENT Associates for more guidance on your fall allergy-related hearing loss. Give us a call today at (772) 408-9556 for more information.