We are now moving into the time of year that hay fever sufferers dread. Spring flowers are blooming and the trees are getting their leaves back. As beautiful as this is, those with hay fever allergies will need to start stocking up on anti-histamines and tissues!
The question we are asking today is: will hay fever affect my hearing? The short and simple answer is yes it can.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to pollen can sometimes cause inflammation and blockages in the ears. This can obviously then lead to temporary hearing loss. Blockages in the ear can be caused by excess ear wax which, if left, can cause people to suffer with symptoms of tinnitus. This excess ear wax can be caused, during hay fever season, by a build-up of mucus generated in the sinuses. This mucus, if produced in the nasal passage, can put pressure on your ear canal. This pressure can often cause discomfort and even pain. Any excess ear wax can be removed easily and painlessly with a microsuction appointment.
Prevention
The only thing that can be done to prevent any of the above is to try and be proactive to your hay fever. There is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to hay fever. Some people are allergic to tree pollen, whereas others suffer with grass or flower pollen.
You will know yourself when you usually start suffering in the Spring season and most people know the type of pollen they are most susceptible to. Start taking anti-histamine / hay fever medication at the time of the year where you usually start to experience symptoms. There are also nasal sprays that can be purchased from most pharmacies. Most weather apps on smart phones now include a pollen forecast so you can check if the pollen count is going to be high each morning. We would suggest keeping windows closed on days where the pollen count is high if possible. You can also invest in air purifiers to use inside your home.
Hearing Aid Users
If you are a hearing aid user, you need to ensure that you are regularly changing your wax filters and cleaning your aids so they are free from excess wax. As we mentioned above, some people may produce more earwax if they are struggling with allergies so the wax filters may need changing more often than you have been for the past 6 months.
To conclude, if you manage your hay fever well and remember to clean your hearing aids regularly, hay fever shouldn’t have too much of an effect on your hearing. If you need any further advice on anything we’ve discussed above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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