Effect of Allergies on Hearing

Children with allergies are prone to ear infections.

Allergies lead to congestion in the eyes, ears, nose and throat due to chemical histamine releases that cause inflammation resulting in excess mucus production. Allergies lead to symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, conjunctivitis and ear infections.

Significance

Allergies cause fluid build-ups in the eustachian tubes, impairing the drainage function. Blocked tubes allow viruses and bacteria to infiltrate the ear cavity, causing ear infections.

Temporary Symptoms

Short-term hearing loss is a symptom of allergic ear infections. As fluid builds up behind the eardrum in the middle ear, sound vibrations take longer to travel, muffling hearing.

Fluid Build-Up

Middle ear fluid leads to pressure on the eardrum and bones. Chronic ear infections resulting from allergies can result in permanent hearing loss if fluid remains stuck in the middle ear.

Ruptured Eardrums

Eardrums can rupture due to pressure caused by fluid and pus build-ups resulting from ear infections. Frequent rupturing injures the ear structure, potentially necessitating surgical repair and causing severe hearing loss.

Otitis Media

Otitis media is a symptomatic condition of childhood allergies, presenting due to small eustachian tubes that are prone to repeated infections. Otitis media causes nerve damage resulting in permanent, sensorineural hearing loss.

References

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Otitis Media
• House Ear Clinic: Allergy Ear Symptoms
• Mayo Clinic: Hearing Loss