Depending on where you live, allergy season can be all year long. Allergies can range from minor to severe and can be triggered by everything from pollen to pet dander. Itchy eyes and a runny nose are the symptoms that are most familiar and can be the first indication that you’re suffering from allergies.
But more pronounced symptoms, like tinnitus, poor balance, and hearing loss often happen. Increased pressure in the inner and middle ear are responsible for these symptoms.
Why do Allergies Impair Your Hearing?
Your body releases a chemical called histamine when it senses an environmental allergen. This release causes the familiar itchy eye symptoms and sniffles of allergies. One less common symptom is the buildup of fluid in your middle and inner ear. This is how your body stops the allergen from working its way deeper into your ear canal. This fluid creates pressure that can lead to tinnitus, problems hearing, and even loss of balance as your equilibrium is affected.
How to Treat This Allergy-Related Hearing Loss
There are numerous ways to treat the symptoms of allergies. Over-the-counter medications like Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are usually the first solution. These medicines are used to treat minor conditions and can begin working in as little as one dose with the full effect appearing after a few days of use. Long term use of these medicines is also safe. Other allergy medication can be used short term but aren’t suggested as a long term strategy because of their potential side effects, these medications include Sudafed, Afrin, and Benadryl.
You can also combine over-the-counter medications with natural treatments or the natural options can in some cases even be used by themselves. These include a Neti pot or saline sprays. In some situations, even an ordinary hot shower can lead to improvement, especially when combined with a vapor tablet. Environmental changes, like regularly washing fabrics with hot water, using a damp cloth to minimize dust on surfaces, and using an air purifier can also significantly help. If you have pets and have trouble with pet dander, make sure you give your pets a bath frequently.
When Nothing Else Helps
Over-the-counter and natural remedies may not work in some cases. When none of these approaches help over the course of several weeks professional help might be required. An allergist will figure out if you are a good fit for allergy shots. Every week for around six months a shot will be given in increasing dosages then the shots will be reduced to once a month. Small amounts of the allergen will be released into your system allowing your body to gradually learn how to manage it. Although it only takes around eight months for patients to feel some relief, this therapy will require a long term commitment of as much as five years.
If none of the above methods provides relief, and you’ve made sure the pressure in your ears isn’t due to an ear infection, then it is time to get your hearing tested.
