Spring is here, and that means a lot of good things. But if you’re prone to spring allergies, there’s a little rain on your parade.
One aspect of that might be some temporary hearing issues.
How?
What happens in the spring is a whole host of things—pollen, mold, pet dander, dust—goes airborne. An allergic reaction is when your body decides any or all of those are hostile invaders that need to be fought. It does this by firing up your immune system and releasing antibodies.
But that process includes inflammation, as a host of chemicals are released into the bloodstream, like histamines and cytokines.
And given the narrow confines and delicate operations of the middle and inner ear, any swelling and fluid buildup can impact how well you hear during a bout of allergies.
A constricted ear canal can lead to the misalignment of other parts of the ear, causing hearing efficiency to decline.
The buildup of fluid likewise throws off the ears’ mechanisms, including the Eustachian tube (which connects the ears with the throat and is vital to keeping air pressure modulated) and vestibular system (crucial to maintaining balance).
Symptoms and Relief
Hence, spring allergies can come with dizziness and ear-popping as well as poor hearing. Spring weather (any weather) – and allergies – may also affect your tinnitus.
Generally speaking, any hearing or related issues will fade away as the allergic reactions do. Very rarely, allergies can lead to more serious outcomes. So, if symptoms seem to be protracted or severe, then go see your hearing health professional.