It sounds absurd, but sometimes, allergies can actually end up causing hearing loss. It falls into line with the fact that many causes of hearing loss are pretty unknown to most people. Since allergies aren’t really something you can prevent, it’s important to know how you can help alleviate the hearing loss that follows. If you’ve ever experienced hearing loss due to allergies, this may help you gain insight on why it’s happening. Read on to find out all about the correlation between allergies and hearing loss.
Type of Hearing Loss
Luckily, hearing loss caused by allergies is usually temporary and not a cause for major concern. For the most part, the type of hearing loss is usually conductive. And conductive hearing loss is almost always curable. It occurs when there is some sort of blockage regarding the middle ear that prevents sound waves from traveling. So, the mucus that forms because of your allergies has the potential to block your middle ear. Also, sometimes allergies cause ears to swell on the outside. This can also end up blocking sound waves. Some ear medications are known to cause allergic reactions that lead to swelling, in both the outer ear and the inner ear.
During allergy season, we recommend regular cleaning of your hearing aid. This is because it can easily clog, just like your ear canal. Hearing aids themselves can also sometimes cause allergic reactions that aren’t noticed until a short time after they’re introduced to the patient. For example, the material of the hearing aid could be something that the patient is allergic to. There’s also the chance that the hearing aid isn’t fitting properly, or that it’s causing more blockage for some reason. If you feel any irritation or allergic reaction when wearing your hearing aid, contact us immediately and let us know.
Need a hearing evaluation? Bay Area Audiology can provide one!
Ready to change the way you look at hearing loss? Our Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Trisha A. Bents Muth, is exceptionally experienced in the art of audiology, and is dedicated to providing the absolute best solutions. Bay Area Audiology has been working to give patients a comfortable environment, with thorough evaluations. We are independently owned, and unbiased when it comes to finding you the care you need.
You can always come into the office, or contact us in advance to set up an appointment. We also provide updates on our social media websites. You can check out our Facebook,Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to keep up with Bay Area Audiology.
Don’t hesitate–we can help.