Abrupt Loss of Hearing versus Allergies

Allergies are common during the spring time. You may experience a sore throat, itchiness, swelling, and even loss of hearing. At times it is easy to mistake sudden hearing loss for an allergy attack. It is important to be able to tell the difference between the two.

When you experience hearing loss due to your allergies, it is generally conductive in kind. This means that there is some kind of blockage that lies somewhere between the outer and middle ear. Blockages are usually caused by the inflammation of skin, which can prevent sound from entering your ear canal.

Fluid accumulation within the middle ear can also cause temporary hearing loss during allergy season. This results from a blocked Eustachian tube which can become congested if you have a cold or sinus problem. Your ears feel stuffed up and you may hear muffled sounds as a result of this fluid accumulation.

Ear infections due to trapped fluid may even worsen your condition since it increases the amount of harmful bacteria. If you have an allergy problem, it is not likely that your inner ear will be affected, but if it is you may experience symptoms such as lightheadedness or ringing in the ears.

Sudden deafness is different from an allergy attack. Compared to allergies which result in conductive loss of hearing, sudden hearing impairment is sensorineural in nature. This means that it usually affects the inner ear. It can occur suddenly for no apparent cause, although it has some form of underlying head trauma or disease at its root cause. This type of hearing loss usually results in a feeling of pressure within the ears, faintness, or a ringing sensation caused by tinnitus.

Both allergy attacks and sudden loss of hearing can be treated and rectified if detected early. This is why it is imperative to seek treatment at the first signs of hearing loss. The longer you delay in treatment, the higher the risk of causing more permanent damage to your hearing.

Any form of hearing loss should not be ignored as it can be a symptom of some other severe underlying disease. Furthermore, untreated hearing loss puts you at an increased risk of a host of physiological, psychological, and social problems. If you or a loved one have suddenly lost their hearing, seek medical help today.