Many people associate allergies with sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose. However, allergies can also affect your ears.
If your ears feel blocked, full or your hearing seems slightly muffled during allergy season, allergies may be playing a part.
How do allergies affect your ears?
Your ears are connected to the back of your nose by small passages called the Eustachian tubes. Their job is to balance air pressure and allow the middle ear to function normally.
When allergies cause inflammation and swelling inside the nose, these tubes may not open properly. This can leave you with a sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears.
Common symptoms
People with allergy-related ear problems may notice:
- A feeling of blocked or full ears.
- Muffled hearing.
- Popping or crackling sounds.
- Pressure that comes and goes.
- Symptoms that are worse during hay fever season.
These symptoms do not always mean ear wax is present.
Is it ear wax or allergies?
Blocked ears are often blamed on ear wax, but that isn’t always the cause.
A professional ear examination can quickly determine whether ear wax is responsible or whether another condition, such as allergies or Eustachian tube dysfunction, is more likely.
This helps avoid unnecessary ear drops or home treatments that may not solve the problem.
When should you seek advice?
Arrange an ear health assessment if:
- Your hearing remains reduced.
- One ear is consistently worse than the other.
- The blocked sensation lasts for several days.
- You have pain, dizziness or ear discharge.
- You’re unsure whether ear wax is the cause.
How Ear Tone Clinic can help
Ear Tone Clinic is the dedicated ear health service provided by Skin Tone Clinic.
We provide professional ear health assessments to identify the cause of blocked ears and hearing changes. Where ear wax is present, we offer safe, gentle ear wax removal. If your symptoms are caused by something else, we’ll explain our findings and advise you on the most appropriate next steps.
Book an Ear Health Assessment
If your ears regularly feel blocked, particularly during allergy season, don’t guess the cause.
Contact Ear Tone Clinic by Skin Tone Clinic to arrange a professional ear health assessment. We’ll identify what’s causing your symptoms and help you choose the most appropriate treatment.
