How Can I Relieve My Symptoms
There are different appropriate remedies depending on what the cause is. When it has to do with sinus-related problems like the common cold, flu, allergies, sinusitis, or irritants , here are a few things you can do to treat it:
- Take a nasal decongestant
- Utilize a nasal rinse or nasal irrigation system
- Use a humidifier, as dry air may irritate your nasal passageways
- Avoid tobacco smoke along with other irritants
- Drink plenty of water, especially in the evening, to thin your nasal mucus
With regards to fluid buildup, an afternoon of fun and sun at the pool or a quick shower can get water inside your ear, causing your ear to be congested. Try these methods to release the water from your ear:
- Jiggle or tug on your ear lobe with your ear tilted toward your shoulder.
- Lay down on your side with the clogged ear facing downward.
- Apply hydrogen peroxide ear drops and proceed to lie with your ear facing down for a couple of minutes.
- Lie on your side and apply a hot compress for 30 seconds, remove for a minute, then repeat four or five times.
- Use over-the-counter ear drops that have alcohol to dry out the ear canal.
- Using over-the-counter ear drops or an earwax removal kit.
- Using an ear syringe with lukewarm water or a saline solution.
As for when you are traveling, you can avoid or alleviate airplane ear congestion by chewing gum or hard candy, swallowing, or yawning during takeoff and landing.
How Do I Deal With These Issues
The first thing to do to deal with allergy-related ear issues is to address your allergies. First, make an appointment for an allergy test. Once you know what is causing your allergies, your doctor can prescribe a treatment plan that best suits your needs. This can include anything from over-the-counter medicines to immunotherapy.
If you have an ear infection, your doctor may prescribe medicine to treat it, too.
If you do have sudden hearing loss, make an appointment with your doctor right away. While it may just be an allergic response, it could also be the sign of something much more serious.
Remember, allergies may be a nuisance, especially if they affect your ears, but CEENTAs ENT doctors are here to give you the care you need.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. Dr. Kilde practices in our Albemarle office. To make an appointment with him or an ENT doctor near you, call 704-295-3000. You can also schedule an appointment online or through myCEENTAchart.
Coping With Allergies As A Hearing Aid Wearer
As mentioned above, temporary conductive hearing loss can interfere with your hearing aids. You should avoid using your hearing aids for prolonged periods of time during pollen season, as they might worsen any blockages youre experiencing.
You should also check your hearing aids for excess earwax. You should clean your hearing aids often, but you should double your cleaning routine during allergy season. Otherwise, your hearing aids might become damaged by buildup.
Regardless of whether or not you use hearing aids, you should get your hearing checked after pollen season is over. A hearing test can make sure your congestion or ear infection has cleared up and check on the overall quality of your hearing. If your hearing has deteriorated over the year, you can catch this change before it begins affecting your daily life.
While allergy season brings misery for nearly everyone, it can be a serious issue for those with sensitive ears, existing hearing loss, or a tendency towards congestion. Luckily, pollen is only an issue for a few months, and you can enjoy unclogged sinuses for the rest of the year.
However, your hearing should be a concern every season of the year. A lot can change in a few months, so keep a close eye on how youre hearing. If something begins to change, or you start struggling to make out certain sounds, schedule a visit with your audiologist. They can help you tackle issues before they begin causing serious problems.
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Allergies Worst In Years This Spring Including Hearing Problems Chicago
Local hearing clinics in Chicago say this is the worst spring in several years for allergy-related hearing problems. Dr. Michael Jones, of the Hearing Health Center said he is seeing a large number of patients each week with hearing problems caused by seasonal allergies.
Experts say this season is especially bad for allergies because late snowfalls, plus the particularly wet months of April and May have brought about excess moisture.
High pollen levels do not only cause problems in the nose and eyes, but also commonly trigger an accumulation of fluid and wax in the middle ear, which also swells, blocking off the Eustachian tubes, resulting in poor hearing.
Dr. Jones said:
Typically, allergic patients have complained of a symmetrical hearing loss and a sense of fullness or pressure. In most cases the hearing test shows a slight hearing loss and a tympanogram shows reduced mobility of the tympanic membrane. That means the middle ear has become inflamed.
As allergies subside so do hearing problems, Dr. Jones explained. In most cases, if the audiologist cannot identify any other underlying problem, the patient is advised to check with an ENT specialist to make sure. OTC antihistamines and decongestants may provide some temporary relief.
Seasonal hearing problems caused by allergies have become so common that some doctors are treating patients with immunotherapy, which was shown in one 1992 study to improve the hearing of 60% of patients with Menieres Disease .
Are You Ready To Find Long
Ear pain can be immensely uncomfortable, but there are solutions. To find a long-term solution to your allergies, turn to Wyndly. Our allergy experts can identify what’s causing your allergic reaction and develop a personalized treatment plan to address it!
Take our two-minute assessment and be one step closer to long-lasting relief!
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Can Allergies Affect Your Ears
You likely know someone who battles with allergies or perhaps you even do yourself. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, from hay fever and dust to pollen and cat dander, allergies affect more than 50 million Americans. More people than ever struggle with allergies today and that number is on the rise, says Cara Watts, M.D., a board-certified otolaryngologist with Riverside Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians & Surgeons.
Allergy Related Hearing Loss Treatments
There are some home remedies that can help towards alleviating the symptoms of hay fever or a pollen allergy. Seasonal issues will come and go, any hearing loss caused by hay fever, congestion or a pollen allergy will resolve itself after a while. However, if you feel you are struggling with the symptoms, here are some useful treatments to try:
- Washing the affected ear gently with a warm cloth and dry thoroughly
- Inhale steam or menthol to open the eustachian tube to allow fluid from the middle ear to drain away
- Equalise the pressure in your ears by yawning, chewing gum or holding your nose and blowing gently until your ears pop
- Taking anti-histamines or other over-the-counter allergy relief tablets
This type of hearing loss is short-term and usually resolves itself once the hay fever and pollen allergy subsides. If you feel you are experiencing any changes in hearing, it is important to seek professional advice from a hearing expert. At Amplifon, we offer no obligation FREE hearing consultations where you can speak to one of our full qualified audiologists to give you some peace of mind!
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If Youre Experiencing Ear Pain It May Be Allergies
Is there anything more relaxing than a nature hike at Northside Trail? That is, unless youre plagued by allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, congestion, runny nose, sneezing and even ear pain.
You may be surprised to learn that ear pain can be the result of allergies. We review the connection below.
Do Allergies Cause Ear Fluid
Your ears and your nose are connected by a tube called the eustachian tube. It comes back here at the back of your nose. So if your nose is irritated and swollen by allergies, what can happen is the eustachian tube can swell shut. This can lead to fluid and irritation and infections in your ear. And this can ultimately lead to ear drainage.
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How Are Your Ears Affected
Our ears are made up of three parts the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Allergic reactions can cause the outer ear to itch or swell. The middle ear contains the Eustachian tube, which acts as a drainage tube of sorts. When mucus clogs the middle ear it affects that drainage. Pressure builds, which can lead to discomfort, popping in the ears or an earache. Your middle ear may itch as well. The inner ear is filled with fluid, and if this fluid becomes infected, you may suffer dizziness, ringing in the ear or loss of balance.
Sometimes a stuffy nose and sinus pressure can radiate to the ears, causing pressure or earaches.
Some people experience a short-term hearing loss due to an allergic reaction. This is known as conductive hearing loss and usually is temporary and resolves itself when the allergies subside.
Young children commonly experience middle ear infections, which may be triggered by allergies. These infections are known as otitis media. If these occur often, a professional may recommend allergy tests.
What Causes Ear Infections
Ear infections, which have many causes, are more common during the fall and winter seasons when cold and flu susceptibility is higher. Inflammation and congestion from allergies can also lead to ear infections. For example, people with seasonal allergies, such as pollenâ¯allergies,â¯may have a greater risk of ear infectionsâ¯when pollen counts are high because their allergic reactions mayâ¯cause congestion and inflammation.â¯
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Can Allergies Contribute To Ear Pain
Once your immune system starts releasing histamine, you may experience ear pain. Ear pain caused by allergies typically occurs due to three different issues:
- Inflammation blocks the drainage of your Eustachian tubes
- Fluid build-ups in the middle ear, creating pressure
- Bacteria can grow in this fluid and lead to infection
How To Cope With Stuffy Ears
Clogged ears can have several causes this time of year it’s likely allergy-related. Over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants might help relieve the problem of excess fluid if it is caused by allergies. Some other remedies that can reduce fluid build-up include exercising, eating a low-sodium diet, or eating fruits and vegetables that act as diureticsgrapes, watermelon, celery, bell peppers and asparagus all offer health benefits that include reducing fluid retention.
Since continuous pressure in the middle ear could result in permanent hearing loss, if you are experiencing any changes in hearing be sure to see a hearing healthcare professional or otolaryngologist to make sure the problem isnt something more serious.
The excess fluid build-up as a result of allergies, barometric pressure changes or inner ear conditions can not only cause a feeling of fullness or pressure, but can also cause conductive hearing loss as a result of sound being prevented from traveling to the cochlea. Another risk of excessive fluid build-up when the Eustachian tubes arent functioning properly is ear infections the increased fluid provides an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
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Home Remedies For Clogged Ears Due To Sinus Infections
Here are some additional home remedies that can help alleviate ear problems associated with sinus infections and even wax build-up.
- Yawning helps redistribute the fluid in your ear.
- Take a hot, steamy shower.
- Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water and pour it into the ear.
- Chew gum as it can help move wax out of the ear.
- Combine rubbing alcohol and vinegar and use the mixture as ear drops.
- Pinch your nose and blow to pop your ears.
- Drop warm olive oil into your ear once again this breaks up wax.
- Combine rubbing alcohol and apple cider vinegar as ear drops to help treat infection.
- Apply warm compresses to the ears.
- Gargle with warm water and salt.
Specialized Treatment For Fluid In The Ears In Metro Atlanta
At the Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia, our board-certified specialists diagnose and treat conditions that cause excess fluid in the ears. Treatment may be as simple as antibiotic medication via ear drops or oral tablets, which are often used to treat swimmers ear or acute otitis media or as complex as surgery.
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Ear Infections Caused By Ear Allergies:
If you are having a seasonal allergy, you may become more prone to ear infections. When pollen levels are high, allergic responses are likely to produce inflammation and congestion. This can develop a variety of complications, including:
Ringing in the ears and dizziness are two other symptoms of ear allergy infection. It may also result in loss of equilibrium. In extreme situations, the eardrum may rupture, allowing the pus to drain from the ear.
Histamine release can induce irritation of the mucous membranes lining the nasal canals and ears. This inflammation can cause an obstruction in the ears, restricting fluid or mucus from drainage and causing ear pain due to pressure accumulated inside the ears.
An allergic response that causes inflammation of your Eustachian tubes can also cause short-term hearing problems. When the allergies subside, the conductive hearing loss usually resolves on its own.
How do doctors diagnose ear allergies and associated problems?
Before you receive the adequate and timely therapy for your ear and hearing difficulties, you must first determine whether the problems are related to an allergy or any other disease. If your family physician has previously ruled out an acute illness or injury, then you must consult an allergy expert to determine any allergens that may be affecting your ears.
Treatment of ear allergies and reactive symptoms:
Home management for ear allergic reactive symptoms:
When To See A Doctor For An Earache
Sometimes no amount of self-care or over-the-counter medication can help an ear infection. Knowing when to see a doctor can help further complications from developing.
If your earache is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever or hearing loss, you should see a doctor. You might be referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
In some cases, people with a chronic ear infection may need to have surgery. Doctors can put small tubes into the eardrum that will help prevent ear infections. The tubes allow air to flow into the middle ear and fluid to drain.
Leaving an ear infection untreated can cause the infection to spread or cause permanent problems with balance and hearing loss.
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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.
Dealing With Temporary Hearing Loss
If youve never experience temporary hearing loss before, you might feel seriously distressed. However, rest assured, most cases of allergy-related hearing loss clear up relatively quickly. Medicated ear drops and allergy medications can help you cope in the meantime, and its unlikely that you will experience complete deafness.
Chances are, your conductive hearing loss will feel like someones plugged your ears. If your condition is worse than this, you should consider seeing a doctor for treatment. They might prescribe medication to clear up the blockage.
Its important that you avoid putting things in your ears. This includes earbuds, q-tips, and other foreign objects. That can worsen the blockage and cause pain or damage. If you use hearing aids, try to use them sparingly, and do not turn up the volume to combat your worsened condition. As the fluid clears or shifts, the high volume can damage your ears further.
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What About Herbal Remedies
If your symptom of blocked ears is caused by seasonal allergies, then seeking treatment for the underlying problem is likely to bring the most effective, long-term relief, and will also help with other symptoms of hayfever you are experiencing.
Herbal remedies such as Pollinosan Allergy Relief Tablets combine seven different tropical herbs designed to target the symptoms of hayfever. It is a non-drowsy medication so will not affect your ability to drive or use machinery.
If you are looking for a herbal remedy specifically to target blocked ears, then Plantago is often found to be effective. It is thought to reduce the amount of inflammation present in the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
Seasonal Allergies And Stuffy Ears
Allergies are another unwanted accompaniment to spring. While most think of allergies as sneezing and sinus pressure, it is important to remember that the ears and sinuses are interconnected.
“People take it for granted that allergies cause sneezing in the nose and itching in the eyes. Yet they seem surprised to learn allergies inevitably affect their ears as well,” said Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, seasonal allergies affect between 10 and 30 percent of adults in the U.S. and as many as 40 percent of children, which means as many as 60 million people in the U.S. suffer from not only sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy ears, and sinus pressure, but ear pressure as well. The warm, wet weather of spring causes trees to produce more pollen. For those who are allergic, the immune system reacts by producing antibodies.
Those antibodies release a substance called histamine, which leads to increased mucus production. Unfortunately allergies also cause swelling of the Eustachian tubes, meaning they dont open as they should. This causes the Eustachian tubes to become clogged with the excess fluid and wax, and the result is a feeling of fullness and pressure in the ears that can negatively affect hearing.
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