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Air conditioning: effects on ears, nose and throat

Last update on Jun 29th, 2025

Can air conditioning affect your health?

As temperatures rise, and mainly during the summer season, air conditioning and air conditioners become the best friends of those who cannot tolerate and withstand high temperatures, helping to control the heat. However, it is important to remember that the effects of air conditioning and improper use of the conditioner can be counterproductive for our health, especially for the ears, nose and throat.

Can air conditioner give you a cold?

Despite the common belief, air conditioning doesn’t directly cause colds. However, staying in cool, dry environments for long periods may:

Dry out nasal passages, making you more vulnerable to viruses
Lower your body’s defences if you’re exposed to sudden temperature changes
Circulate airborne viruses in poorly ventilated spaces

So, while the air conditioner itself doesn't give you a cold, it can increase the risk of catching one, especially if your immune system is already low.

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Air conditioning effects on ears

Air conditioners blow out fresh but dry air. The consequence is that the environments in which air conditioning is used for a long time become spaces devoid of humidity and this process makes both the nasal passages and the mucous membrane that lines the middle ear dry, making normal functioning difficult.

The nose is, together with the mouth, the place where air enters the body and with it bacteria, viruses and other substances. The nasal mucous membranes line the nasal passages and have the mission of filtering and cleaning the air that enters. It also ensures that the air arrives in the optimal conditions of humidity and temperature that the lungs need.

If, due to the lack of moisture in the air, the nasal mucous membranes and those lining the middle ear lose their moisture, they cannot do their job well and end up allowing bacteria to enter the inside the nose. The back of the nose communicates with the ear via the Eustachian tube. Therefore, it is easy for the bacteria that have entered to end up proliferating in the deepest area of the ear.

Colds and ear congestion: a common combination

When you have a cold, it's common to experience ear congestion or a blocked ear. This happens because the Eustachian tubes, which help equalise pressure in the ears, can become swollen or blocked by mucus.

If you're in an air-conditioned environment, the dry air can further irritate your nasal passages, making it harder for your ears to clear properly. This may lead to:

A feeling of fullness in the ear
Temporary hearing loss
Mild ear pressure or discomfort

To ease symptoms, try using a saline nasal spray, stay hydrated, and avoid sudden temperature changes. If the blockage lasts more than a few days or worsens, consult a GP or hearing specialist.

Air conditioning and otitis

One of the most annoying evolutions of a cold is the onset of otitis. It is common for cases of otitis to occur mainly in the summer months, this is because they are usually caused by the humidity that is generated in the ears after spending time at the sea, in the pool or while diving and not drying them well. This is referred to as external otitis or swimmer's ear, which usually affects children.

However, the proliferation of air conditioners and the increasing use of air conditioning are causing more and more cases of otitis in the summer in people of any age, especially in the case of prolonged exposure to air conditioning with ears still wet. The most obvious consequence of otitis media is pain, while temporary hearing loss is rarer, even if there is a sort of blockage due to inflammation in the area.

There are people who, by their nature, are more sensitive to the action of air conditioners. Allergy sufferers, asthmatics, or people with some type of lung disease can be affected more quickly than others.

Sudden hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo

In rarer cases, prolonged exposure to air conditioning can also cause sudden hearing loss due to inflammation of the inner ear. Hearing loss is usually not bilateral, but affects only one ear, more often the one most exposed to air conditioning. This hearing loss in some cases can also be accompanied by tinnitus, ringing in the ears and dizziness.

Air conditioning and ear infections

Although not a direct cause, air conditioning and ear infections may be linked, especially in people with:

Compromised immune systems
Chronic sinus or allergy problems
Pre-existing inflammation in the ear canal or middle ear

Cold, dry air can contribute to ear dryness or irritation, potentially increasing the risk of infection in already vulnerable ears.

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How to prevent earache from air conditioning

To prevent earache caused by air conditioning, follow these tips:

Avoid direct airflow on your ears, especially while sleeping
Keep the room at a comfortable, stable temperature (around 21–23°C)
Wear a light scarf or headband to protect your ears in cold environments
Use a humidifier to reduce dryness that can irritate the ear canal
Make sure air filters are clean, as dust or allergens can worsen ear sensitivity

If you’re prone to earaches, try limiting time in heavily air-conditioned spaces and stay well-hydrated.

Babies need special care in these situations as they do not regulate their body temperature in the first months of life and changes in temperature can affect them.

FAQs on how air conditioning impacts your ears and health

Can dry ear of AC make your ear hurt?

Often prolonged exposure to air conditioning can lead to ear pain, due to a sharp change in temperature from a very hot environment to one with a much lower temperature. This problem is due to the blockage of the Eustachian tube between the nose and ear. In these situations, in fact, the pressure changes in and out of the Eustachian tube and if the air pressure becomes lower in the middle ear than in the auditory canal, the eardrum retracts inwards, causing pain.

Does sleeping with air conditioning make you sick?

Sleeping with air conditioning doesn’t directly make you sick, but it can lower your resistance to colds or respiratory issues by:

Drying out mucous membranes
Reducing core body temperature too much
Circulating allergens or viruses in unclean systems

To avoid this, set a timer or sleep mode, keep the temperature moderate (around 22°C), and point airflow away from the bed.

Can air conditioner give you a sore throat?

Yes, cold and dry air from air conditioning can irritate the throat, especially if airflow is directed at your face while sleeping or working.

How to prevent sore throat from air conditioning?

Dry air irritates your throat, especially at night. Here's how to avoid that:

Use a humidifier in air-conditioned rooms
Drink water regularly to keep your throat moist
Clean filters regularly to avoid dust and allergens circulating

Don't sleep with cold air blowing on your face or neck

Can air conditioning cause clogged ears?

As seen previously, prolonged exposure to air conditioning can cause the temperature to drop to lower levels than the ones human body usually needs. In this case, the air conditioner can cause a cold and the consequent obstruction of the Eustachian tube due to the excessive production of catarrh. The obstruction brings the classic sensation of blocked ears and muffled sound. In this case, possible solutions can be the intake of decongestant drugs, nasal sprays, nasal washes with saline solution or, in lighter cases of obstruction, the application of the Valsalva maneuver.

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