Can allergies cause hearing loss?

Your eyes are itchy and your nose is runny–typical for allergy season, you tell yourself. But could your allergies also account for your stuffy ears and diminished sense of hearing?

Yes, say hearing health professionals. Symptoms can include itching, swelling, vertigo and fullness in the ear. While this is annoying for anyone, it can be especially bothersome for people who have hearing loss and wear hearing aids.

Why do allergies cause problems hearing?

Your immune system responds to allergens by releasing the chemical histamine. The release of histamine produces an allergic response. The resulting sneezing, itching, swelling and congestion can cause temporary conductive hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when something, such as fluid or earwax, prevents sound waves from flowing through the ear and into the tiny bones of the middle ear.

Three types of allergy-related hearing loss

Your ear has three major sections, all of which can be affected by allergies.

Outer ear: An allergic skin reaction, known as dermatitis, can cause ear itching and swelling of both the outer ear and ear canal. Some individuals may be allergic to their laundry detergent, fragrance or earrings. Others may have allergies to household pets, especially dogs and cats, or seasonal pollen.

Middle ear: If swelling blocks the opening to your middle ear, your eustachian tube may not be able to drain properly. This can cause fluid and pressure to build up, giving you a feeling of fullness in the affected ear and providing a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and subsequent middle ear infection. This fluid buildup may also trigger balance problems, such as vertigo, giving you a feeling of being dizzy, a problem known as eustachian tube dysfunction.

Inner ear: Allergies may also contribute to hearing loss for people who have Meniere's disease.

Allergies and hearing aids

In addition to causing you some discomfort, pollen can clog the microphone ports in your hearing aids, affecting the way your hearing aids function. You can replace the covers of microphone ports easily. Of course, regular cleaning of your hearing aid is always advisable, especially during allergy season. Your hearing care provider can likely provide treatment for itchy ears from hearing aids.

Am I allergic to my hearing aids?

While rare, some people seem to experience an allergic reaction to their hearing aids. If this is the case, be sure to talk to your hearing health professional. The allergy may be caused by poor fit, moisture in the ear, wax accumulation, dry skin or an allergy to the earmold or dome material.

Many hearing aid manufacturers have options for people with sensitive ears such as hypoallergenic shell materials or coatings that provide relief.

The good news

Seasonal allergies can make certain times of the year difficult for many people who experience symptoms. Most of the time, allergy misery, including any decrease in hearing you experience, is typically temporary. Normal hearing usually returns after your symptoms subside or your infection clears.

If your hearing loss persists well past your other allergy symptoms or you experience ear pain, see your hearing care professional or ENT to make sure your condition doesn’t need long-term treatment. If you don’t have a trusted hearing health professional, visit our directory to find one in your community.