Seasonal Allergies Can Affect Your Hearing

When allergy season hits, most people expect the sneezing, the itchy eyes, and the runny nose. For many people, seasonal allergies also causes ear pressure, muffled hearing, or even ear pain. 

What Do Allergies Have to Do With Hearing? 

When you are exposed to things you’re allergic to, like pollen or ragweed, it triggers your immune system to release histamines.  Histamines are your body’s allergy response which cause inflammation (swelling) and fluid buildup (congestion), especially in your sinuses and ears. 

This swelling and congestion can block your Eustachian tube, the small passage that connects your middle ear to your throat. When the Eustachian tube is blocked, fluid can’t drain properly, leading to trapped fluid and increased pressure in the ear. 

Common Allergy-Related Ear Symptoms: 

• The feeling of pressure in your ears 

• Muffled sounds 

• Ear pain or popping sounds, especially when blowing your nose 

• Itchy ears  

These symptoms can come and go with allergy flare-ups but they can also linger or worsen if fluid builds up behind the eardrum. 

When Should You Be Concerned? 

If your ear discomfort doesn’t go away after allergy symptoms ease, or if you notice hearing loss after it does get better, it’s time to get checked. Ongoing pressure or fluid in the ear can lead to ear infections or temporary hearing loss. Kids are especially vulnerable, since their Eustachian tubes are smaller and more easily blocked. 

What Can You Do? 

• Stay on top of your allergy treatment. Whether it's antihistamines, nasal sprays, or a doctor-recommended plan, managing your allergies can go a long way in giving you relief. 

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps your body thin out mucus and clear it more easily. 

• On high-pollen days, try keeping windows closed and running an air purifier indoors. 

• Pay attention to your hearing. If your ears have cleared but things still sound muffled, distorted, or different, schedule a screening. 

Need Support? Our Team is Ready to Assist.

At HEAR Wisconsin, our Audiologists can help determine whether your ear symptoms are related to allergies, a buildup of fluid, or something else entirely and guide you toward safe, effective next steps. 

If your ears are bothering you, you feel like you are struggling to hear, or have concerns about your hearing health, our Audiology Team at HEAR Wisconsin is here to help. Give us a call 414-604-7219 to schedule your hearing evaluation today.