How Spring Allergies and Weather Changes Affect Your Ears

Spring is finally here! While many of us are looking forward to warmer weather and the blooming of fresh buds, these changes can have undesirable side effects on our ears.

Weather changes and your ears

If you think the changes in your ears during the spring months are just in your head, you’re wrong. It’s real and it happens to many of us.

Why is that?

The eardrum and the middle ear are very sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure. For the eardrum to vibrate efficiently, the air pressure on both sides should be the same.

The Eustachian tube, which is the connection between the middle ear and nasopharynx, helps in equalizing this pressure. Through yawning or swallowing, the Eustachian tube opens and allows air to flow in or out of the middle ear.

The atmospheric or barometric changes during spring can be so sudden. This can lead to an imbalance between the air pressure inside and outside the ears. This causes a sensation of fullness or popping in your ears.

Seasonal allergies can worsen it

As plants start to bloom again, spring is not the best season for people with allergies. Pollen, the biggest allergy trigger, can bring someone’s defense system into haywire.

The nose and throat swelling from allergies can lead to inflammation of the Eustachian tube. This makes it even more difficult to equalize the pressure.

How to cope with stuffy ears during spring

Over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamines can provide relief to allergy-related inflammation.

Exercising, eating a low-sodium diet with fruits and vegetables that serve as diuretics (e.g. watermelon, bell pepper, celery) can also help by reducing fluid build-up.

If these remedies show little to no changes, or they do not provide sufficient relief, seeing an ENT specialist is the best thing to do. Continuous pressure in the middle ear can lead to permanent hearing loss and can even aggravate existing ear issues.

Greater Knoxville ENT has doctors who can take a look at your ear issues and recommend suitable treatment options for you. To request an appointment, please call our office at (865) 244-4396.