Are you struggling to hear? Do you have constant ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in your ear? Are you experiencing sinus pressure? A runny nose? Itchy eyes? You may be tempted to think it’s a hearing concern or allergies, but what if it’s both? Both tinnitus and hearing loss can be connected to allergies!
Within the last few years, there’s been a dramatic increase in patients who suffer from allergy-related hearing loss and tinnitus in the springtime. Allergies are usually a year-round struggle, but spring can often exacerbate allergy symptoms whether it be from flowers blooming, leaves sprouting, or even the yellow dust of death we know as pollen.
During this season, many people develop allergic rhinitis (“hay fever”) and experience symptoms, such as itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, a feeling of pressure in the ear, or feel like the ear is clogged. This is often a result of inflammation and/or excess fluid and when the inflammation or fluid becomes too much, it can diminish the person’s ability to hear or can create tinnitus symptoms (i.e. hearing ringing in the ears).
It’s important for people to understand that allergy-related tinnitus occurs when the constant noise(s) only develops alongside other allergy symptoms. People already experiencing tinnitus prior to allergies may develop worsening tinnitus symptoms, such as louder ringing or other noises in the ear. This can interfere with not only one’s ability to hear, but it can also affect your mood, your sleep, and your overall quality of life.
So, how can the ENT Institute help?
Treatment is dependent on the person. You’ll want to see our allergy specialists as well as our expert audiologists. Together, you will customize a treatment plan with the best possible outcome. We have the knowledge and the tools to help you find relief; we simply have to assess the root cause and develop a plan from there.
Meet with our Certified Tinnitus Specialist, Dr. Sonia Hamidi, either in person or online! Not a resident from Georgia? No problem! Thanks to Telehealth appointments, Dr. Hamidi can evaluate patients all over the globe.
At the ENT Institute, we offer:
- highest quality care & lowest transparent pricing
- self-pay packages
- customizable treatment plans
- same-day appointments
Sources:
Prutsman, Dr. Julie. “Do Allergies Cause Hearing Loss or Tinnitus?” Sound Relief Hearing Center, 10 July 2020.