How To Keep Hearing Aids Dry
To;make sure hearing aids stay working properly when the weather changes, be sure to wear a hat or use an umbrella when going out in the rain. Youll also want to dry your hair and ears thoroughly after showering prior to putting in your hearing aids. Lastly, in addition to regular cleaning, use a hearing aid;dehumidifier;overnight or anytime your hearing aids are exposed to excess moisture.
If you suspect hearing loss, be sure to see a hearing healthcare professional if your hearing problems persist after the barrage of wet weather, sudden barometric changes and allergy season ends, so you can enjoy the beautiful sounds of springtime for years to come.
What Is An Allergic Reaction
Your immune system is responsible for defending your body from invaders like viruses and bacteria, but sometimes it mistake a harmless substance for something dangerous and attacks. The result is an allergic reaction.
During a reaction, the immune system releases antibodies that send a message to cells to release a chemical called histamine. Histamine prompts the blood vessels to expand and causes other symptoms you know so well, such as:
- Sneezing
- Itchy, runny or stuffy nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Coughing, wheezing and tight chest
- Rash, hives and swelling
- Itchy or painful ears
How Allergies Affect Your Hearing
Now that March is half over, allergy season will soon be in full swing. About one out of every five people in Phoenix experiences allergies. In addition to the usual barrage of cold-like symptoms that includes itchy, watery eyes; runny nose; sneezing; nasal congestion; cough; sore throat and post-nasal drip, allergy sufferers are also at risk of experiencing temporary hearing loss.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Otitis Media With Effusion In Adults
Although ear infections are commonly associated with children, they can also affect the adult populous. In most cases, Eustachian tube dysfunction is often considered to be the primary factor causing the complication. That being said, the condition has also been linked with allergy, antecedent upper respiratory tract infections, or barotrauma . Typical symptoms associated with OME include aural fullness and hearing loss. Some adult sufferers have also noted experiencing a slight sensation of disequilibrium, without vertigo, and/or the sensation of a foreign body within the ear. In rare cases, patients have spoken of experiencing acute ear pain.
Get Help With Your Hearing Loss Today
You dont have to live with auditory loss. Harbor Audiology can help. Our staff can help you with your questions about insurance or VA benefits, and we have office hours most evenings and Saturdays. Harbor Audiology serves Sequim, Silverdale, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Port Angeles, and Bainbridge Island. Request your appointment online today!
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Seasonal Allergies Cause Stuffy Ears
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million Americans experience allergies each year, and allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.
Spring is the worst time for allergy sufferers thanks to all the pollen in the air. While most people think of allergy symptoms as relating to the eyes, nose, throat and sinuses, its important to note that the sinuses and the ears are connected.
For people with allergies, when the immune system comes into contact with an allergen, like pollen at Boom Island Park, it releases histamine, which increases mucus production and causes swelling. As stated above, this swelling can happen in the Eustachian tubes, causing them to become clogged with excess fluid and wax that cannot drain. The result is a feeling of fullness or stuffiness in the ear, which could even cause some degree of hearing loss.
For more information about treatment options, how spring allergies cause ear problems or to schedule an appointment with an allergist, call Midwest Allergy & Asthma today.
Moisture Impacts Hearing Aids
Spring also brings challenges for those with hearing aids, as the rise in allergens and wet weather means paying closer attention to maintenance and upkeep of hearing devices. For example, increased allergens can clog microphone ports in hearing aids, so be sure to clean hearing aids regularly and replace covers of mic ports when necessary.
Increased allergens can clog microphone ports in hearing aids, so be sure to clean hearing aids regularly.;
Along with allergens, spring is accompanied by heat, humidity, rain and extreme temperature changes. Moisture is the enemy of hearing aids, as it can build up in the tubing, damage the microphone and receiver and cause static. In addition, warm weather means more ear wax build-up, which can clog the sound openings.
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Ear Popping And Fullness
Ear popping and sensations of the ear feeling full are common symptoms of allergies, states the American Academy of Family Physicians 1. This can occur if the mucus produced by an allergic reaction, drains into the Eustachian tube. This tube travels from the back of the ear into the throat. Its job is to drain excess fluid from the ear and equalize the pressure in the ears. If the lining of this tube becomes inflamed, then the ears may start to feel full and pop.
Since the ears play a role in maintaining balance, inflammation can lead to a loss of balance, dizziness and even vertigo. The first step in treatment, is to identify the allergen that is triggering the symptoms, and then taking steps to lower exposure when possible
- Ear popping and sensations of the ear feeling full are common symptoms of allergies, states the American Academy of Family Physicians 1.
- If the lining of this tube becomes inflamed, then the ears may start to feel full and pop.
Fluid In The Ear Discussion
Fluid in the ears commonly affects children from infancy until about ten years of age.; The medical term for this problem is Otitis Media with effusion, also known as Serous Otitis Media.; Many schools screen children for this problem.; It is not uncommon for the school nurse to see the need to send a note home indicating that a child has failed a hearing test.; Most often the note will include a suggestion that the child be checked by an ear doctor. Children with Down syndrome and cleft palate very often have problems with fluid in the ears.
The ear has a space behind the ear drum called the middle ear. The lining of this space makes a fluid to keep the tissues moist. This fluid drains through a little tube that runs to the back of the nose.; Colds, allergies, infected adenoids, or sinusitis, can cause congestion of the nose and eustachian tube.; This congestion causes the tube to be blocked.; With the tube blocked the fluid in the middle ear cannot drain.
The fluid causes two problems.; First, the sound waves are not transmitted through the ear and this causes a hearing loss.; This can be a very serious problem with children trying to hear a teacher in a noisy classroom. Most children will become bored very quickly if they cant hear whats going on and an educational delay can occur.; Although this is serious, it is not quite as dangerous to the health of the child as the second problem.
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Symptoms Of Fluid In Ears
Fluid in the ear, often called Otitis Media with effusion or glue ear, occurs when liquid accumulates in the middle ear as a result of swelling or a blockage in the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat. Although anyone can get fluid in their ears, children are much more susceptible to it due to the fact that their auditory tube is smaller and more horizontal than that of an adult. In fact, 90 out of 100 children will experience fluid in their ears at some point before the age of 5 or 6. The most causes of this, in both children and adults are allergies, congestion from a cold or other virus, enlarged sinus tissue, exposure to chemical irritants, previous damage to the auditory tube, a rapid change in ambient air pressure, or oral abnormalities, such as those associated with down syndrome or a cleft palate. If you suspect you or your child has something in their ear, its best to consult with a doctor, as it can often be hard to diagnose, although treatment is fairly simple, as the condition usually improves on its own. This type of ear condition may not cause the obvious symptoms, like drainage and severe pain, that are associated with an ear infection, but some of the most noticeable signs of it are loss of hearing, the feeling that the ear is full, loss of balance, and more.
1. Ear Pain
Joy Victory Managing Editor Healthy Hearing
Joy Victory has extensive experience editing consumer health information. Her training in particular has focused on how to best communicate evidence-based medical guidelines and clinical trial results;to the public.;She strives to make health content accurate, accessible and engaging to the public.Read more about Joy.
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Allergies Can Cause Ear Pain
While earaches arent necessarily the most common symptom of an allergic reaction which is why you may not suspect allergies as the cause it can happen. This is because the membrane lining the Eustachian tube can become swollen and inflamed, and this inflammation can lead to an imbalance in the pressure of the ears. The result is fluid buildup and a blocked ear.
How To Remove Fluid In Eardrums
Although the focus of this article has been on OME within adults, the condition can also affect children. In fact, worldwide, OME is one of the most common infectious diseases. Treatment methods include simply waiting, whilst observing the condition. This is because the condition usually self resolves after a number of weeks. If, after observation, the condition has not improved, then antihistamines, decongestants, and/or nasal steroids may be offered to treat the condition. A table of treatments can be found below:
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Treatment Strategies |
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Nonsurgical and non-pharmacological interventions |
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As mentioned, most health care professionals with refrain from treating the condition at first, that is, unless there are also signs of an infection. To help avoid the buildup of fluid behind eardrums, adults should try to avoid cigarette smoke, and ensure to properly treat any allergies that you may have. If the condition fails to improve, then a hearing test, or course of antibiotics may be offered.
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How Can Allergies Affect Your Ears
Usually, we associate ear discomfort with children, who are prone to infections due to the fact that their Eustachian tubes dont drain as easily as adults. However, its certainly possible to experience ear discomfort as an adult, and the reason may surprise you. It may be allergies causing your problems.
Allergies And The Ears
The most common allergen triggers are pollen, animal dander, environmental irritants, mold, dust mites, chemicals, medications, and foods.
The outer ear is most prone to skin allergies caused by contact with pollens, bug bites, or metals such as nickel. Swelling in the ear canal can block sound from entering the ears, leading to temporary hearing loss.
The Eustachian tubes in the middle ear, organs responsible for equalizing pressure in the ears, can become swollen as a result of mucus buildup caused by allergies. This can lead to plugged ears and otitis media, the medical term for an ear infection. Left untreated, middle ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss.
Menieres disease and other disorders of the inner ear can flare up as a result of allergic reactions, leading to a worsening of symptoms.
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Allergies And Dizziness: The Cause And The Treatment
If youre feeling dizzy, you might be wondering whats causing it. Dehydration, medications, and a variety of conditions can cause you to feel dizzy and nauseated.
While dizziness might seem like a mild condition, it can actually be very disruptive to daily life. It can even be so severe that it leaves you stuck in bed for hours or days.
Dizziness can sometimes be caused by allergies.
An allergy is the immune systems response to a foreign substance thats not typically harmful to your body. These foreign substances are called allergens. They may include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander.
Allergy-related nasal and sinus congestion can lead to dizziness or a more severe type of dizziness called vertigo.
Home Remedies For Earaches
There are several home remedies available for treating earaches, many of which use simple ingredients found in your cupboard at home.
Relieving congestion in the ear may help to ease your earache. This can be achieved by inhaling steam or menthol. This helps to open the Eustachian tube so that any fluids inside the middle ear are able to drain away.Equalising the pressure in your ear may also help to ease seasonal allergies induced earache. This can be achieved by yawning, chewing gum or holding your nose and blowing until your ears pop. However, you should be very gentle when doing this so that you do not damage the delicate structures of the ear.You should be careful before putting anything into your ear, particularly if you suspect you are suffering from a perforated eardrum, as this can worsen the condition.
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Find Out Why Your Allergy May Be Causing Blocked Ears
Blocked ears usually occur due to the production of too much histamine which irritates the lining of the ears and as a result, causes hearing problems and sometime tinnitus. This causes a lot of discomfort so to help you out, here our allergy advisor Louise Baillie discusses the issue in detail and offers some information on the various treatment options available as well.
Louise BaillieAsk Louise
Is It Normal To Have Fluid Drain From Your Ear
Earwax that drains from your ear is normal. This can be white, yellow, or brown and may be runny. Only a small amount should drain from the ear, though. If discharge continues or if you see signs of blood or pus, it may indicate your eardrum has been ruptured. That’s not normal, and you should contact your doctor.
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Will Allergy Medicine Help
Over-the-counter allergy medications can help take care of multiple symptoms, including any allergic reactions in the ear. Antihistamines and decongestants can reduce the feeling of fullness in the ear.
Other treatments that may help with allergic reactions in the ear include a warm compress, such as a washcloth placed on the ear or prescription eardrops. Pain medication also may help an earache.
If you have an infection, your health care provider can prescribe an antibiotic.
If pressure in the ear doesnt go away or becomes painful, its important to see a hearing care provider right away.
Allergies Can Cause Ear Infections Too
If you have allergies, youre at a higher risk for developing ear infections. This is because when the Eustachian tubes are blocked and fluid begins to pool, the ears become a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to an infection. This type of infection is known as otitis media, which can cause other symptoms such as tinnitus , dizziness and balance issues. In rare but severe cases, the eardrum may even rupture.
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Do Allergies Cause Hearing Loss Or Tinnitus
Spring has sprung! Along with ushering in warmer weather and beautiful blossoms, the season, unfortunately, increases pollen production and allergy symptoms. Although airborne allergens exist throughout the year, we see a dramatic increase in patients who suffer from allergy-related hearing loss and tinnitus in springtime. This may lead you to wonder: Do allergies cause hearing loss or tinnitus? Yes, in fact, allergies can impact hearing.
Take our Tinnitus Impact Survey to determine the severity of your tinnitus
Allergic rhinitis, more commonly referred to as hay fever, can cause a variety of symptoms, including itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, a feeling of pressure in the ear, and the sensation that the ear is clogged. For some patients, the inflammation and/or excess fluid diminishes the persons ability to hear or creates tinnitus symptoms . Those already suffering from tinnitus may hear louder ringing or experience worsening tinnitus symptoms.
How Allergies Affect Your Ears Nose And Throat
EarsNoseThroat
The best way to avoid your symptoms is to avoid what causes your allergies in the first place. ;With help from our Hagerstown, MD ENT doctor, you can successfully control and alleviate your allergy symptoms. ;Dr. Kirby Scott will perform various tests in order to come to a proper diagnosis, allowing you to breathe easily once again.
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Why Do You Have An Allergic Reaction
When a foreign substance, such as pollen. causes hypersensitivity, your immune system responds by producing antibodies that release histamine. Histamines cause itching, mucus and sometimes swelling. Allergies can occur year-round, but for many people pollen and grass allergies are more likely to occur in the spring or fall.
Hay Fever Can Cause Fullness In The Ears
The inner ears contain fluid that is sensitive to barometric pressure changes. Youre probably aware of this is youve ever taken off from Charleston International Airport, driven through the mountains or gone scuba diving. The popping sensation you feel is the result of the pressure outside your ears dropping while the pressure in your ears stays the same.
In addition to draining fluids, your Eustachian tubes are responsible for regulating pressure changes. When seasonal allergies cause the Eustachian tubes to swell, it makes this job difficult, causing a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Menieres disease is an inner ear condition related to too much fluid in the inner ear, which triggers episodes of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Its common for people with this condition to experience increased or worse episodes in the springtime if they have allergies. To learn more about how spring allergies can affect your ears or to schedule an appointment with an ear or allergy expert, call ENT & Allergy Partners today.
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