Spring allergies and weather changes: Are your ears ready?

While spring brings longer days and warmer weather, it also brings erratic temperature shifts and seasonal allergies that can affect your ears and hearing. 

Seasonal allergies and ear congestion

While most people think of allergy symptoms as sneezing and sinus pressure, it is important to remember that the ears and sinuses are interconnected. Because of this, allergies can also cause stuffy or clogged ears.

"People take it for granted that allergies cause sneezing in the nose and itching in the eyes. Yet they seem surprised to learn [that] allergies inevitably affect their ears as well," said Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, seasonal allergies affect between 10 and 30 percent of adults in the U.S. and as many as 40 percent of children, which means as many as 60 million people in the U.S. suffer from not only sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy ears, and sinus pressure, but ear pressure as well.

Blame pollen

Trees produce more pollen in springtime. For those who are allergic to pollen, their immune system reacts by producing antibodies.Those antibodies release a substance called histamine, which leads to increased mucus production.

Unfortunately allergies also cause swelling of the eustachian tubes, meaning they don’t open as they should. This combination of swelling and increased mucus causes the eustachian tubes to become clogged, known as eustcahian tube dysfunction.

Not only can this result in a feeling of fullness and pressure in the ears, but it can also lead to temporary hearing loss as well. 

Barometric pressure changes also affect ears 

It's not just allergies that can cause ear problems in springtime. The sudden changes in barometric pressure that occur this time of year can make your ears feel clogged as well. 

When the barometric pressure drops rapidly, the pressure outside your ears goes down before the pressure inside your ears can acclimate. This causes a pressure imbalance, which can lead to sensations of fullness and popping in the ears. Seasonal allergies can worsen these symptoms by causing a narrowing of the eustachian tubes, making it even harder to equalize pressure.

Meniere's disease

Other ear-related issues can worsen in the spring as well. Those with Meniere’s disease, in particular, can suffer greatly during spring weather changes.   

Normally fluids in the inner ear circulate. However, problems occur when the overproduction of fluid that characterizes Meniere’s disease actually backs up under the increased pressure and causes the endolymphatic chambers to bulge.

The result is discomfort, fullness and pressure along with the potential of other unpleasant symptoms such as: 

• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Vertigo and/or dizziness

How to cope with stuffy ears

If allergies are causing your clogged ears, over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants might help relieve your symptoms.

Some other remedies that can reduce fluid build-up in the ear include:

• Exercising 
• Eating a low-sodium diet
• Eating fruits and vegetables that act as diuretics, like grapes, watermelon, celery, bell peppers and asparagus 

Can ear pressure cause permanent hearing loss?

While hearing loss from pressure changes is often temporary, continuous pressure in the middle ear could result in permanent hearing loss. If you are experiencing any changes in hearing be sure to see a hearing healthcare professional or otolaryngologist (ENT) to make sure the problem isn’t something more serious.

Weather changes impact hearing aids

Spring also brings challenges for those with hearing aids. The rise in allergens and wet weather means paying closer attention to maintenance and upkeep of hearing devices. For example, increased allergens can clog microphone ports in hearing aids, so be sure to clean hearing aids regularly and replace covers of mic ports when necessary.

Increased allergens can clog microphone ports in hearing aids, so be sure to clean hearing aids regularly. 

Along with allergens, spring is accompanied by heat, humidity, rain and extreme temperature changes. Moisture is the enemy of hearing aids, as it can build up in the tubing, damage the microphone and receiver and cause static. In addition, warm weather means more earwax build-up, which can clog the sound openings.

Protect your hearing aids

There are several ways to keep your hearing aids working properly this season.

• Wear a hat or use an umbrella when going out in the rain.
• Maintain a regular hearing aid cleaning routine.
• Use a hearing aid dehumidifier overnight or anytime your hearing aids are exposed to excess moisture.

Get help for your hearing loss 

If you're experiencing hearing problems or other ear-related issues, be sure to see a hearing healthcare professional so you can enjoy the beautiful sounds of springtime for years to come.