Symptoms Of Common Hearing Problems
The most common causes of hearing loss vary depending on your age. For younger people, ear infections, ear wax, or loud noise exposure are common causes of hearing loss in one or both ears. For older age groups, gradual decrease in hearing due to aging is the most common cause. This type of hearing loss usually affects both ears, says Dr. Toh. In children, ear infections are the most common cause of hearing loss.
Here are some common hearing loss causes and their symptoms:
- Sinus infection. You might experience this hearing loss in one or both ears, and it could be accompanied by headache and nasal congestion. Once a sinus infection or head cold clears, your hearing should go back to normal.
- Ear infection. This cause of hearing loss is more likely to be in one ear. You may feel ear pressure and ear pain. Children who have ear infections may develop fluid in their ears that causes significant hearing loss.
- Ear wax buildup. Hearing loss from ear wax in one or both ears may build gradually or come on suddenly if water gets in your ears and mixes with the wax. You may also have a sensation of pressure in your ear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss does not usually cause pain or pressure in your ears, but you may have ringing in the ears, called tinnitus, which frequently goes along with nerve damage.
Can Allergies Cause Tinnitus And Hearing Loss
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Can allergies cause tinnitus? Can a sinus infection result in hearing loss? What is the treatment for allergy induced Tinnitus? Do allergies cause a Tinnitus spike among people who are already suffering from Tinnitus? We explore the connection between allergies and tinnitus and also hearing loss, below.
Meningitis Rash Glass Test
Meningococcal meningitis is a form of bacterial meningitis caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium. Meningococcal meningitis can cause a person to develop septicemia, which is an infection of the blood. This form of septicemia is known as meningococcal septicemia, or meningococcemia.
Meningococcal meningitis can cause a rash in about 50% of people with the condition. Meningococcemia can result in a person bleeding into their skin. This causes a certain type of rash to develop within a persons skin, characterized by small, non-raised, purple-reddish lesions. The rash occurs due to bleeding outside the capillaries due to meningococcemia.
A person can test if a rash is from meningococcemia by pressing a glass tumbler against it. If the rash does not disappear, it means a person may have meningococcemia. However, a person should not take the glass test as a diagnosis of meningococcemia, as this form of rash can also result from other conditions.
If a person has a rash that does not disappear when pressed by a glass, they should contact their doctor immediately.
- speech, language, memory, or communication problems
- severe brain damage
usually spreads from person to person.
Common ways that bacterial meningitis can spread include:
available for pneumococcal meningitis. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for children ages 2 years and under and people who have certain medical conditions.
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Can A Sinus Infection Cause Hearing Loss
The last thing you want to be asking yourself on top of When is this sinus infection going to end? is, Can a sinus infection cause hearing loss? But if thats the situation you find yourself in, you want answers, and quick.
So: Can a sinus infection cause hearing loss? In short, yes. But how? What does sinus infection hearing loss look like? How is it best treated? Sinus Solutions of South Florida is here to address these questions in-depth. In the process, we hope to help you identify a pathway to better hearing, better sinus health, and better everyday living.
Psst If youre wondering if you have sinusitis, a sinus infection, or a cold, check out this article on the difference between sinusitis and a cold.
How Can A Sinus Infection Affect Your Ears
Most sinusitis-related ear problems, including tinnitus, are caused by the congestion that occurs during a sinus infection. To better understand this phenomenon, lets take a second to review a few facts about sinusitis.
Sinusitis most frequently occurs when a virus or bacteria irritates the tissues of your sinus cavities. This irritation can lead to swelling which, in turn, can lead to mucus buildup and congestion.
Your sinus cavities and ears are interconnected systems, so congestion in the sinuses can create ear congestion, as well. Congestion in the ear may block the tube known as the Eustachian Tube that connects the middle ear to the outer ear and helps regulate pressure within the ear. When the Eustachian Tube is blocked, the pressure is allowed to build up around the eardrum, which is ultimately what causes ringing in the ears, aka tinnitus.
Whether you have an acute sinus infection or a sinus infection that wont go away, so long as the congestion is severe enough, it can cause tinnitus.
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Are There Certain Foods To Eat
Allergies can affect anyone from time to time, but if you have daily sinus pressure it can get in the way of your everyday activities. For people with chronic sinusitis, a symptom flare up can happen anywhere, anytime especially on days that are high pollen count days or very dry. There are lots of medicines that can treat these but often times its great to start with your diet. Eating a diet that is designed to minimize your issue also boost your immune system and improve your skin health, all while fighting inflammation. A well-rounded diet decreases inflammation and fights bacteria often cause sinus infections. There are other foods that help to decongest passages and prevent inflammation.
Omega 3 fatty acids are ideal for reducing swelling and you get this by eating wild salmon, cod, or other Omega-rich fish. Tart cherries are known to reduce inflammation much better than ibuprofen and, aside from being yummy, can also reduce your risk for heart disease. Turmeric spice, found often in Thai and Indian food, has curcumin which actively combats swelling. Avocado, beans, eggs, dark leafy greens and spices like ginger and cayenne pepper, are all on the list of foods to eat to nip sinusitis in the bud. By eating these foods, you are boosting your overall health and improving your quality of life if you are a chronic sufferer.
Some other foods and drinks to consider:
Some foods to avoid and guidelines:
Fried foods
Allergy And Hearing Aids
In addition to causing you some discomfort, allergens can also clog the microphone ports in your hearing aids, affecting the way your hearing aids function. You can replace the covers of microphone ports easily. Of course, regular cleaning of your hearing aid is always advisable, especially during allergy season.
Some people seem to experience an allergic reaction to their hearing aids. If this is the case, be sure to talk to your hearing health professional. The allergy may be caused by poor fit, moisture in the ear, wax accumulation, dry skin or an allergy to the earmold material. Many hearing aid manufacturers have options for people with sensitive ears such as hypoallergenic shell materials or coatings that provide relief.
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Ear Pain Sinus Pressure Tingling Tongue Tingling Roof Of Mouth And Pressure On Roof Of Mouth Causes
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Conductive Hearing Loss From Ear Infections
Chronic ear infections can cause conductive hearing loss. When this happens the inner ear doesnt get sound waves at the proper strength. The ear has mechanisms along the canal which amplify the sound wave so that when it reaches the tiny hair cells of the inner ear, it is intense enough to create a vibration. Sometimes something changes along this route and the sound is not effectively amplified. This is known as conductive hearing loss.
Bacteria dont just sit and do nothing in the ear when you have an ear infection. They must eat to survive, so they break down those components that amplify sound waves. Usually, this type of damage includes the eardrum and the tiny little bones. The bones are very fragile and it doesnt take much to break them up. If you lose these bones they dont grow back. You dont just get your hearing back once this damage happens. In certain cases, surgeons can install prosthetic bones to repair hearing. The eardrum can restore itself but it will probably have scar tissue affecting its ability to move. This can also potentially be repaired with surgery.
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Reasons You May Have Clogged Ear
Clogged ears can cause great discomfort and pain, and ultimately have a negative effect on your hearing. The clogged ear feeling can be a distraction to day-to-day life, and in this blog post, we explain:
- What is a clogged ear?
- What causes ears to feel clogged?
- How you can manage the condition.
At Hearing Direct, you will also find a number of solutions to manage and treat clogged ear wax.
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Treatments For Colds And Allergies
Antihistamines and decongestants can help reduce ear pressure and the feeling of fullness. Sometimes a warm compress helps. If an infection is present, a doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve earaches.
Because your ears, nose and throat are so closely connected, a problem in one area often leads to another. Thats why a stuffy nose and blocked ears often happen at the same time when you have a cold, the flu or allergies. Usually any loss of hearing is temporary, but if problems persist, a visit to your hearing professional is important.
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How To Prevent Sinus Infection
There are a couple of ways to address possible long-term damage that might be caused by chronic sinus infections. First and foremost, you should seek out the advice of a hearing specialist if youre suffering from tinnitus or hearing loss .
Second, be sure to do all you can to prevent sinus infections in the first place. Get plenty of rest. Get tested for allergies . Make sure your airways, nose, and throat, are all clear.
If you have concernsor if youve been prone to sinus infections in the pastits worth raising the topic with your hearing specialist. In some cases where youve noticed long-term hearing loss, hearing aids can often help you compensate in a meaningful way . Sinus infections can have a big impact on your hearing health, so theyre important to take seriouslynot that sinus infections are all that easy to ignore.
An Important Function Of Sinus
- Allows voice resonance
- It helps in filtering and add moisture to air inhaled from nasal passages removing unwanted particles at the same time.
- Lighten weight from the skull.
The four paranasal sinuses, named accordingly to the bones where they are placed:
- Ethmoid: located in the upper part of the nose in the middle of the eyes.
- Frontal: triangular-shaped sinus, located in a bottom part of the forehead over eyes and eyebrows.
- Maxillary: largest among four, in cheekbones next to the nose.
- Sphenoid: located behind the eyes.
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Will I Have Permanent Hearing Loss After I Get An Ear Infection
by Conejo Hearing Center, Inc. | Aug 15, 2018 | Hearing Loss Articles
What is usually referred to as an ear infection, is medically called otitis media or AOM. Ear infections are very prevalent after a sinus infection or cold and they not only affect children but adults as well. You can even get an ear infection from a bad tooth.
When you have an infection in the middle ear you will most likely have at least some loss of hearing, but will it go away? The answer to this question might be more challenging than you may think. There are quite a few variables to consider. You should learn how the damage caused by ear infections can end up affecting your hearing.
How Blurred Vision Is A Result Of Sinus Complications
You must be surprised to know but it is true that many people who have been suffering from chronic sinusitis had to experience blurred vision which is the most critical sinus complication. The constant effect of sinusitis can encourage sight issues in which blurred vision, seeing floaters or double vision are few of them. The vision issues can be an outcome of sinus inflammation or pressure on the backside of eyeballs. An infection to eye socket can create great amount of discomfort that can be managed only with intense medical care. A delay in medical attention can cause blindness or eye damage for permanent.
Sinus Congestion May Affect Vision
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What Causes Sinus Pain
Sinuses are hollow spaces in your facial bones that are lined with membranes that secrete mucus. Sinus pain is often a result of inflammation that blocks mucus from draining and leads to pain.
Sinus swelling can follow viral illnesses, including the common cold, or it can be due to mucus production from allergies or breathing in polluted air that leads to irritation. It can also happen if there are nasal blockages due to abnormal growths called nasal polyps or structural abnormalities, such as a deviated septum, that make you prone to congestion.
Telling The Difference Between Allergies And Hearing Loss
Many people might put off a hearing test until allergy season is over. However, if your hearing loss doesnât go away after the season is over, you might have a more serious problem.
The only person that can definitely determine the difference between allergies and hearing loss is an audiologist. However, if youâve experienced temporary hearing loss in the past, you can rest easy knowing that your issues are most likely caused by allergies.
Allergy-related hearing loss is usually accompanied by dizziness, loss of hearing on one side, congestion, or an earache. As the fluid shifts around in your ear, your pain levels and hearing might change as well. However, if your hearing loss persists for a long period of time, you should see a doctor about the issue.
Many people discover they have permanent hearing loss after visiting the audiologist for allergies. The allergies donât cause the hearing loss â rather, they had existing hearing loss, and the allergies exacerbated the issue. If you still struggle to hear after pollen season is over, get a hearing test. You might be surprised by the results.
In most cases, permanent hearing loss is caused by the degradation of the cochlea. Hearing loss of this kind will affect certain frequencies of sound for example, someone with sensorineural hearing loss will struggle to hear womenâs voices or consonants in speech.
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Get Sinus Infections A Lot What That Means For Your Hearing
The worst part about getting a sinus infection could be that you can feel it coming from a mile away. The pressure around your nose starts to build. Your head gets a little achy and it gets hard to think. Your nose gets a little runny. And you knowas sure as the sun rises in the morningthat tomorrow youre going to miserable.
Sinus infections can have a myriad of causes, though theyre usually related to fluid build up in your sinus cavities. Thats why a short cold can maliciously turn into a lengthy sinus infection. Because your ears, nose, and throat are all connected, a sinus infection can have major implications for your hearingboth in the short term and the long term.
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How Chronic Sinusitis Affects Vision
Basically, sinusitis is called to sinus cavities infection that exists in head. Some areas of sinus are quite close to the eyes. Being near to sinus area, when sinusitis remains for longer period, it starts pressurizing the eyes by which vision issues occur. The constant pain and affect of sinusitis can sometimes cause blurred vision or vision impairment. Although, this problem occurs very rarely, yet it happens for sure. Significant number patients of sinusitis do complaint for blurred vision. As the sinusitis lasts, the problem of blurred vision also lasts.
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Is There A Vaccine For Meningitis
Yes, there is a vaccine for several types of bacterial meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is one version for which vaccines are available. While viral meningitis is more common, bacterial meningitis can be more dangerous if its not diagnosed and treated quickly.
For that reason, the two primary vaccines for meningitis are for bacterial causes. The first vaccine, the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, features a vaccine that targets four of the most common types of bacterial serotypes. It lasts longer and offers greater protection, especially if you maintain booster shots.
The second vaccine, MenB, targets one specific strain, and its protection window is much shorter. Only certain populations are recommended to get this vaccine.
Side effects of a meningitis vaccine include soreness, redness, and burning at the injection site. Some people may experience a low-grade fever for a day or two following the injection. Chills, headache, joint pain, and fatigue are also possible.
How Do I Prevent Sinus Infections From Spreading To My Ear
There isnt any special solution to stop an infection from reaching your ear the best thing to do is to see your GP for a proper investigation and treatment. If you have repeat, long term sinus infections then your risk of developing associated hearing loss will increase.
Permanent hearing damage is rare, but letting an infection develop and worsen over time could lead to damage to structures in your inner ear. There are also known cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss as a result of chronic sinusitis.1 This is why regularly having your hearing reviewed is so important.
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