Types of allergy-related hearing loss
Allergies can impact your ears and hearing in different ways, depending on which part of your ear - outer, middle or inner - is affected.
Your outer ear
You may find that your outer ear and ear canal is itchy or swollen - often a result of an allergic skin reaction.
Your middle ear
Allergies are most likely to affect your middle ear. As we’ve seen, if your middle ear is swollen or inflamed, your eustachian tube won’t be able to function properly, and any fluid that would normally drain away will build up, leading to pressure within your ear and causing a feeling of fullness - or a sensation that your ears need to ‘pop’’.
This can lead to issues with balance and dizziness, as well as a loss of or change in your hearing. It can also result in infection (particularly if you find that your ears are painful), so if you do notice that your hearing loss or balance issues are accompanied by any discomfort, speak to your doctor.
Your inner ear
If you suffer from an inner ear disease, such as Ménière’s disease, you may be used to changes in your hearing. However, if you also suffer from allergies, you may find that the changes are more prevalent when your allergies are at their worst - such as during the summer - or that they fluctuate in line with your allergies.
Ultimately, your hearing can be affected by your allergies, and while your middle ear is most likely to be affected, you may experience problems with any part of your ear. However, any hearing loss should be temporary, and should resolve itself once your allergies have eased.
This type of hearing loss occurs when sound waves can’t reach the bones in your inner ear. It can be caused by inflammation and excess mucus - both of which can happen as a result of allergies - and is usually curable, or clears up naturally once your allergies ease.
If your hearing doesn’t improve, or is sudden and unexplained, make sure you book an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause.