Seasonal Issues

Seasonal hearing disorders

Hearing loss and minor ear pain may be brought about by seasonal triggers such as allergies, they come and go over certain periods of time but never cause any permanent problems. 

Temporary hearing loss caused by seasonal issues is a result of the swelling and congestion of the sinuses as a reaction to allergens. Because the ears, nose, and throat are connected in a singular network, one area under stress will affect the other areas directly. Simply put, a stuffy nose will almost always lead to hearing impairment or ear pain to a certain degree. 

Spring/summer

Seasons like Spring and Summer bring out the worst in the flaw of the human immune system. The immune system is able to combat the worst of infections but is still unable to grow its immunity against pollen, leaving people with allergies every time Spring rolls in. With the knowledge that pollens irritate you, it’s best to take precautions as the seasons begin to change so that you can promptly avoid suffering from clogged noses and hearing loss. Should you find yourself suffering from the hearing loss that allergies come with, rest assured your hearing will return to normal once the allergy passes. 

Music festivals and tinnitus

If you attent music festivals it is advisable that you protect your ears. Loud noises or music during music festivals or concert can have a permanent impact on hearing such as tinnitus. Tinnitus is a ringing sound in ears where is no external casue for the sound. So, it is highly advisable to wear hearing protections during music festivals 

Pressure changes

If you’ve ever flown on an airplane before or gone scuba diving, you have probably experienced some form of barotrauma. Barotrauma is an ear condition that is brought about by a change in pressure. For some it may entail ear pain and even a nose bleed, but for others it is milder and only brings about temporary hearing loss. To avoid the discomforts of barotrauma, ear plugs for flying are available on most fights for free while earplugs for diving also come inexpensively. 

Swimmers ear

The ear infection called swimmers ear is also known as otitis externa. It often occurs after submerging your head in water such as during swimming activities. The best way to avoid it is by using ear plugs for swimming. Due to the excess water in your ear canal, bacteria is able to thrive. Swimming in maintained pools pose less of a risk than swimming in lakes or bodies of water that host a number of living organisms. Swimmers ear is characterized by irritation that leads to itchiness and a clear liquid dripping out of your ear. As it worsens, more pain is expected and the liquid becomes pus-filled. If untended, it may turn into an emergency case. So, see your doctor as soon as you notice the symptoms. 

Autumn/winter

Autumn, for some people signal the end of their allergies. But some suffer into the new season for certain reasons and just because the winter season lays pollen to rest for a good few months doesn’t mean that everyone is safe from getting allergies. Unfortunately for some, their spring and summer allergies can be prolonged due to specific plants that pollenate later than others. The change in temperature that come with each season is also partly to blame. Raking leaves outdoors poses risks of allergies the same way staying indoors during the winter exposes you to allergens you don’t normally pick up because of the extra time spent inside. 

Flu and otitis

The ear infection called otitis media is a complication of having flu symptoms. This is due to the fact that your ears and nose are connected by what is called the Eustachian tube. Being that colds are part of having a flu, your Eustachian tube becomes inflamed and leads to an ear infection. Otitis maedia occurs when the inflamed Eustachian tubes do not function normally. Without draining your ears of the excess mucus, the build up makes one prone to infection. 

Pressure changes in mountain

Barotrauma from climbing mountains that causes ear pain can be avoided with proper hearing protection. By using ear plugs, you can protect your ears from suffering the pressure changes as you go further up the mountain or as you begin your descent from the top. Certain cases may lead to ear damage while most experiences have temporary effects. It’s always best to be careful. 

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