Jun 20, 2025
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Lori Lovato
How Do Seasonal Allergies Affect Hearing Health?
As the season changes, so do your allergies. If you're among the many who suffer from seasonal allergies, you might not be aware that these allergies can affect much more than just your nose and eyes – they can also impact your ears.
For us living in Washington State, the challenge is even greater.
Compared to 30 years ago, the pollen season here starts 20 days earlier and lasts nearly a month longer. Warm temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more frost-free days, combined with rising carbon dioxide levels, are extending pollen seasons and worsening allergy impacts.
Birch trees are a notable contributor to this issue, being abundant in our verdant region and predicted to produce eight times more pollen by the end of the century.
Understanding how allergies affect your ears can help you distinguish between allergy symptoms and potential hearing loss.
How Allergies Influence Your Ear Health
When allergies strike, your body's immune response to allergens such as pollen can lead to increased production of mucus. This mucus can build up, affecting your Eustachian tubes, the small passages that connect your throat to your ears.
The Eustachian tubes are essential for equalizing ear pressure and draining fluids. When they become blocked, you may experience ear discomfort, pressure changes, or muffled hearing.
Typical Symptoms Might Include:
Ear Pressure, like the sensation experienced when changing altitude.
Muffled Hearing because of fluid buildup or Eustachian tube blockage.
Ear Pain or Discomfort due to pressure changes.
If these symptoms persist, consider reaching out to a hearing care professional, as we can help determine whether they are due to allergies or another underlying condition.
When to Seek Professional Help
While experiencing some ear discomfort during allergy season is common, persistent or severe symptoms could show more serious issues such as an ear infection or hearing loss that requires professional attention. You should seek medical advice if:
Symptoms persist beyond allergy season.
Severe ear pain or drainage occurs.
A significant impact on your hearing is noticeable.
Managing Allergy-Related Ear Concerns
To effectively manage your ear health during allergy season, consider the following steps:
Identify and Avoid Triggers: Recognize the allergens that cause your symptoms, such as tree pollen or molds, and take steps to minimize exposure.
Use Allergy Medications: Antihistamines or decongestants can reduce nasal inflammation and might help ease ear-related symptoms.
Nasal Sprays or Irrigation: These methods can effectively clear mucus and reduce the likelihood of Eustachian tube blockage.
Consult a Hearing Care Specialist: If you experience prolonged ear issues, a specialist can offer targeted treatments and confirm if your symptoms are solely allergy-related or if further intervention is required.
Our team of experienced hearing care professionals provides tailored solutions to address your unique needs, ensuring you experience clear hearing and comfort throughout the allergy season.
Take Care of Your Ears This Summer
Your ear health doesn't have to suffer during allergy season. By understanding the connection between allergies and your ears, you can take proactive steps to manage discomfort and protect your hearing.
Persistent symptoms should never be ignored; timely intervention can make a significant difference for not just your ears but your overall health.
Contact us today to see how your hearing health can be optimized, ensuring you enjoy all the seasons of the year!
Lori Lovato
Lori is a lifelong resident of the Tri-Cities. She and her husband Anthony are proud to be raising their family here. She attended Washington State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing sciences and her master’s degree in audiology. Lori began practicing audiology in the Tri-Cities in 1993. During this time, she has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including private practice and ear, nose, and throat physicians’ offices. She has spent her career focused on assisting those with hearing difficulties through the use of hearing aids, listening strategies, assistive devices, and counseling. She is experienced in working with both adult and pediatric patients. It is important to Lori to develop close relationships with each and every patient, as she helps them develop better communication strategies to live a fuller life.
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