The Link To Hearing Loss
Middle ear infections can affect your childs hearing. This can be unsettling, but its almost always;temporary and doesnt result in any permanent hearing loss. Still, any hearing loss should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Addressing hearing loss is important because infants and toddlers who suffer from chronic ear infections experience stretches of mild hearing loss during a crucial learning period for speech and language.;
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Regular Hearing Loss & Sudden Hearing Loss Treatment
Conductive hearing loss is often temporary and treatable. Treatments include the removal of abnormal growths and external objects, earwax extraction, or antibiotics. Other issues are usually treatable with surgery.
Treatment of sensorineural hearing loss does not typically result in fully restored hearing. However, with the advent of hearing aids and cochlear implants, your options for achieving better hearing have vastly improved.
Sudden hearing loss, when caught quickly and treated with corticosteroids, can result in successful or partially successful treatment. Again, sudden hearing loss is best treated within 2 weeks of its onset.
For either type of hearing loss, your doctor might administer a hearing loss test to measure the extent of your hearing loss and to determine how much your hearing capabilities have changed.
Connecting Sinus Infections With Hearing Loss
To understand the connection between sinus infections and hearing loss, its important to remember that your ears and nose are connected. As a result, sinus infections can result in a swollen Eustachian tube, which connects your throat to your middle ear and is often dubbed the pressure gauge of your inner ear.
Your Eustachian tube keeps the pressure at the right level and helps drain fluid from your ears. As this tube swells, fluids block your middle ear, causing pressure to build up in your eardrum. This causes pain as well as hearing loss. You may notice pressure in your ears as well as clogged, muffled sounds like youre listening to people talk through a thick wall.
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Can Allergies Cause Hearing Loss
Your bodys immune system responds to allergens by producing histamine antibodies, which are the cause of allergy symptoms like itchiness, runny or stuffy nose, and inflammation. All of your senses are connected, so when you experience swelling and congestion in the nose, throat and sinuses, your ears can also be affected. The excess mucus production that occurs when histamines are activated can cause a feeling of pressure or clogging in the ear. Other symptoms of ear or hearing issues stemming from allergies include:
- Discomfort
- Vertigo or balance issues
- Mild hearing loss or muffled hearing
The symptoms above can mean that the Eustachian tube, the drainage passage for the middle ear, is blocked or obstructed. Since the middle ear amplifies and transfers sound between the inner and outer ear, any inflammation or blockage there can interfere with your hearing.
Joy Victory Managing Editor Healthy Hearing
Joy Victory has extensive experience editing consumer health information. Her training in particular has focused on how to best communicate evidence-based medical guidelines and clinical trial results;to the public.;She strives to make health content accurate, accessible and engaging to the public.Read more about Joy.
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Hearing Loss Treatment In Denver Co
We know how frustrating hearing loss can be. The expert doctors at Advanced ENT can determine if your hearing loss is connected to allergy, sinus issues, or ear wax issues and help determine the best treatment for the underlying cause of your symptoms. Find relief from swelling, pain and hearing loss with our specialists.
Can Sinus Issues Cause Hearing Loss
When the sinuses become inflamed, either from infection or other nasal issues, they can affect your hearing too. Swollen sinuses cause the glands between your nose and eyes to create more mucus than usual, which can block nasal and sinus pathways from draining properly. Your sinuses and ear canal are very close together, so the blockage in your sinuses can cause the Eustachian tube to become inflamed and filled with fluid, leading to pressure on the eardrum. This inner ear pressure can lead to symptoms such as:
- Discomfort
- Mild hearing loss or muffled hearing
- Dizziness
- Vertigo or balance issues
If you are having difficulty hearing because of sinusitis, infection, or other sinus issues, sounds may sound muffled or distant, as if heard underwater or through a tunnel. Irregular pressure or inflammation can even affect your equilibrium causing issues with balance or walking.
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Measurement Of Crs Severity And Course
CRS severity was assessed by the Lund-Mackay score , which was based on coronal CT scanning of patients in the bilateral maxillary sinus, anterior ethmoid sinus, posterior ethmoid sinus, frontal sinus and sphenoid sinus. The complete lucency, partial opacity and complete opacity of fluid accumulated from the sinus was scored as 0, 1, and 2 respectively. Remarkably, the ostiomeatal complex was scored as either 0 or 2 for not being obstructed or obstructed. Therefore, LMS for the right or left sinus ranged from 0~12 with a total score 0~24 for both sides. The CRS course was counted during the collecting history as the number of months from the complaint of onset until visiting the hospital.
How To Treat Allergy
Remember Never attempt to scratch an ear itch by putting something inside your ear canal such as a hair pin or cotton swab. Instead, if you experience itchiness the best way to treat it is to wipe your outer ear gently with a warm, damp washcloth and dry it thoroughly.
A specialized Ear Nose and Throat doctor will be able to diagnose whether your hearing issues are being caused by allergies. If this is the case, there are several different ways to treat the root allergies causing ear issues. You will likely conduct an allergy test, either in the office or at home, to determine your specific allergies. The suggested treatment from your doctor will depend on the type and severity of your allergies.
Oral Medications
Over the counter antihistamines can counteract the bodys reaction to an allergen and relieve symptoms temporarily, reducing swelling and potentially alleviating hearing loss for a short time. This can be an effective approach for seasonal or temporary allergies but requires taking oral pills every day and can lose its effectiveness over time.
Allergy Drops or Shots
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Sinus Problems Related To Hearing Loss
Sinusitis is the infection that affects the para-nasal sinuses known as the sinus cavity. These are the cavities located in the bones near the nose and between the eyes. Sinusitis may be caused due to allergy, common cold or bacterial, viral, and fungal infection. In some cases, tooth extraction or certain dental procedures may also lead to sinusitis.
There are two type of sinusitis, acute and chronic. Typical symptoms of a sinus problem include nasal congestion, runny nose, sinus headaches, and coughing. Could sinus problems cause hearing loss? Yes, acute sinusitis may result in sinus related hearing loss. However, the condition does not lead to complete deafness and the hearing becomes normal once acute sinusitis is cured. On the other hand, chronic sinusitis generally results in temporary hearing loss which may develop into a permanent condition. This happens when chronic sinusitis leads to other complications such as ear infection.
Sinus related hearing loss happens when the infection spreads to the ear, especially when it affects the middle ear. Hearing is affected when pressure gets applied on the eardrums due to inflammation of the sinuses. The pressure develops due to discharge of fluid from different parts, including the sinuses. When this fluid builds up behind the ear drum, the Eustachian tube from the throat to the middle ear gets blocked and becomes swollen. This leads to pressure on the eardrum leading to pain and hearing loss.
Can Sinus Infections Lead To Hearing Loss
While hearing loss isnt the first or main symptom of a sinus infection, these types of infections can affect your hearing in various ways. In most cases, this wont be a severe hearing loss and it will get better once the sinus infection has cleared but there is a possibility that frequent, severe sinus infections can permanently affect your hearing health.
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Other Diseases & Medical Conditions
- Tinnitus is a reported symptom of the following medical conditions:
- Metabolic Disorders: Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Anemia
- Autoimmune Disorders: Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia
- Blood Vessel Disorders: High Blood Pressure, Atherosclerosis
- Psychiatric Disorders: Depression, Anxiety, Stress
- Vestibular Disorders: Ménière’s Disease,Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Otosclerosis
- Tumor-Related Disorders : Acoustic Neuroma, Vestibular Schwannoma, other tumorous growths
Again, a person experiencing tinnitus should not assume that he/she has one of the medical conditions listed above. Only a trained healthcare provider can appropriately diagnose the underlying cause of tinnitus.
Restoring The Natural Curve Of The Spine And Strengthening Cervical Spine Ligaments A Possible Treatment For Chronic Sinusitis And Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Many patients we see when they come in for their first visit for issues of chronic pain and neurological symptoms, come in with an understanding that something is wrong with the curve of their neck and spine. This they learned through the many years of seeking treatments. This is why they also understand that the curvature of the spine is a complex problem
In the story of our patient in this article, we noted that he had a military curve. A loss of the natural cervical spine curve.
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Comparison Of Hearing Tests Between The Study And Control Groups
As shown in , sensorineural hearing loss was found in 20 out of 82 patients in the study group , which was significantly higher than in the control group . In addition, the DPOAE pass rate of the GRS group was significantly lower than in the control group , suggesting that the cochlear sound-magnifying function was damaged due to cochlear OHCs impairment in some CRS patients. Notably, the SNRs of the CRS group at high frequencies of 3991 Hz and 5649 Hz were significantly lower than in the control group , suggesting a high-frequency decline type of hearing loss in these CRS patients .
Sinus Congestion And Hearing Loss
Chances are that if youre wondering, Can a sinus infection cause hearing loss? youve already got an inkling of what might be behind this symptom. The most common form of hearing loss due to a sinus infection is caused by severe congestion and sinus blockage specifically, sinus blockage of the Eustachian tube, a small section of your ear that helps regulate pressure.
Fluid in the Eustachian tube can cause muffled hearing. Many people equate the sensation to that of descending in an airplane, being underwater, or even having earplugs in.
Changes in hearing such can be distressing. In general, its wise to visit a doctor as soon as you notice any difference in the quality of your hearing, but to have hearing loss coupled with a sinus infection may indicate that your infection has become more severe, and thus definitely warrants a visit to your ENT.
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Acute And Chronic Sinusitis
The majority of sinus infection symptoms exist in both chronic and acute forms. Acute sinusitis is believed to lasts for a short time, usually less than a month. An acute sinus infection is typically part of a cold or any other respiratory disease.
Acute sinusitis commonly begins with cold-like symptoms like running nose, congested nose, and finally facial pain.
Chronic sinus infections, on the other hand, lasts more than 12 weeks and sometimes tend to recur.;Physicians describe the criteria for sinusitis as facial pain, nasal congestion, and septic nasal discharge.
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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What Are We Seeing In This Image
Proper Eustachian Tube function vs. dysfunction. In this illustration, the proper opening of the Eustachian Tube is shown to require the action of the tensor veli palatini and the levator veli palatini muscles innervated by the vagus and trigeminal nerves. When these muscles do not operate normally, fluid builds up in the middle ear potentially causing the problems of ear discomfort, ear fullness, pressure, pain, dizziness, and even partial or complete hearing loss.
Treat Your Hearing Loss With Our Experts
Hearing loss can be annoying, frustrating, and even scary. An experienced ENT specialist at Advanced ENT & Allergy Center can help you get your life and hearing back. We will determine the diagnosis and create an ideal treatment plan to fit your lifestyle, guiding you through every step. Find relief from your symptoms, hear better, and work with an expert doctor whether youre at home or in our office.
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The Cervical Spine And Cervicogenic Otoocular Syndrome
Next, we are going to visit the opinion of a paper presented in The International Tinnitus Journal. Here the researchers sought to make a connection between cervical spine disorders and hearing problems that would eventually result in tinnitus and Ménières disease. Here are the summary learning points:
What is being suggested here? Simply that a functional disorder of the upper cervical spine can cause hearing problems.
How To Address The Problem
It is vital that you address your concerns with an ENT specialist. However, if youre looking for home remedies, you can try:
1.;;; Humidifiers or Nasal Spray
Moisture can step in as a huge relief for sinus pressure. While both humidifiers and nasal sprays tend to work just fine, you can also try to place a washcloth soaked with warm water on your face.
2.;;; Keeping Your Head Upright
Leaning your head or bending forward will cause all the pressure to shift to your head, making matters worse. Avoid these movements as much as possible and your symptoms will ease up.
3.;;; Avoiding Extreme Temperatures
A very cold or hot day could make sinus problems a lot worse. If possible, try to remain indoors until you notice some of your symptoms easing down.
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Beware: The Common Cold Can Cause Hearing Issues
by Audiology & Hearing Care of SWFL | Jan 16, 2019 | Hearing Loss Articles
A study by The American Lung Association states that the typical adult gets as many as four colds a year. Even though colds are normally minor viral infections, thats a lot. It doesnt matter what part of the body the virus attacks, if it results in congestion, it can cause an ear infection.
There are some symptoms of a cold you shouldnt ignore even though colds are generally considered harmless. The connection between the common cold and ear infections has finally been confirmed by scientists. This is an important finding, because ear infections are a major contributing variable in the troubling rise in antibiotic resistance.
by Audiology Associates of DFW | Jan 16, 2019 | Hearing Loss Articles
A study by The American Lung Association states that the average adult gets as many as four colds a year. Thats a lot even if the majority of colds are minor viral infections. Whether the virus attacks the respiratory system, throat, or sinuses, it can cause ear congestion, and eventually, an infection in the ear.
Despite the fact that many people consider colds harmless, there are a few symptoms you dont want to ignore. The connection between the common cold and ear infections has finally been confirmed by scientists. This is an important finding, because ear infections are a significant contributing factor in the disturbing rise in antibiotic resistance.
What To Do If You Have Hearing Loss
Hearing loss that goes along with age, sinus infection, ear infection, or ear wax is not usually a hearing emergency. “If you think you have wax in your ears and you don’t have any history of ear surgery or a hole in your ear drum, you could try some over-the-counter wax softener and irrigation before going to the doctor,” says Toh.
One caution about ear wax is to never try to remove it by “candling.” Ear candles are cones that are placed into the ear and lit in an attempt to remove wax. This technique is dangerous and can cause severe burns to the face and ear. There is also a danger of tearing or puncturing the eardrum. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has put out a warning that ear candling is neither a safe nor effective way to remove ear wax.
There are hearing loss symptoms may indicate a hearing emergency, and they require a prompt call to your doctor:
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
- Hearing loss with severe ear pain or drainage from the ear
- Hearing loss associated with dizziness
- Hearing loss in one ear with sudden development of ringing
- Hearing loss associated with any injury
- Hearing loss that remains after an ear infection or sinus infection has gone away
Other symptoms of hearing loss should be checked by your doctor on a non-emergency basis, with a good ear exam and a hearing test. In some cases, your primary care doctor may suggest that you see an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Another hearing specialist you may need to see is an audiologist.
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