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 diminished sense of hearing? Yes, say hearing health professionals, with symptoms that can include itching, swelling, vertigo and fullness in the ear. 

Allergies and hearing loss

Your immune system responds to allergens by producing antibodies that release histamine. The release of histamine produces an allergic response. The resulting sneezing, itching and congestion also increases mucus production, which can cause temporary conductive hearing loss. In the spring, the addition of moist air and barometric weather changes can make spring allergies feel worse, too.

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. Conductive hearing loss is curable, but it makes it temporarily difficult to hear.

Remember, it’s never advisable to attempt to scratch an itch by putting anything inside your ear canal such as a hair pin or cotton swab. Instead, wash your ear gently with a warm, wrung-out washcloth and dry it thoroughly. If that doesn’t help, see your doctor. He or she will be able clean your ear and examine it to determine what is causing your itchy ears.

Three types of allergy-related hearing loss

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

Outer ear: Allergic skin reactions 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.

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, allergens can also 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.

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.