A sinus infection is a pretty common medical condition. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, it is a common disorder affecting 31 million people in the United States yearly.
Sinuses are small air pockets that can be found behind your brow, nose, cheeks, and in the space between your eyes.
Mucus is a thin, flowing liquid produced by the sinuses that defend the body by capturing and pushing germs away.
Suppose you have a cold or allergies. This mucus buildup can become thick, allowing bacteria and other organisms to colonize your sinus canal and cause a bacterial or viral illness.
The nose and the ears are pretty close to each other, and they are connected to each other. So can an infection in the sinuses cause damage to the ears?
Today, we will share with you if a sinus infection causes hearing loss.
Can A Sinus Infection Cause Hearing Loss?
Yes, a sinus infection can cause hearing loss. In fact, hearing loss is a common issue caused by sinus infections.
Severe congestion and sinus blockage — specifically, sinus blockage of the Eustachian tube, a small piece of the ear that helps regulate pressure — are the most prevalent causes of hearing loss related to a sinus infection.
But how exactly does it occur?
Hearing loss occurs when a sinus infection spreads to the ear, especially the middle ear. Fluid builds up in the sinus cavities due to infection pressure, spilling over into the Eustachian tube. Fluids clog the middle ear and build up pressure in the eardrum as the Eustachian tube swells, causing pain and hearing loss.
Hearing usually returns once the fluid escapes the eardrum in acute sinusitis, but some of the fluid may remain in the ear in young children who are still growing and maturing, causing long-term hearing loss.
Sounds may sound muffled or distant if you have sinusitis, infection, or other sinus problems, as if you are hearing underwater or through a tunnel. Irregular pressure or inflammation can also influence your equilibrium, creating balance and walking problems.
Hearing loss caused by sinus infection is only conductive or temporary hearing loss. With that said, how do you treat it?
How To Treat Sinus Infection-Related Hearing Loss
To alleviate hearing loss, you must first treat the sinus infection that is causing it. Antibiotics, antihistamines, and decongestants can all be used to treat your bacterial infection. It is best to consult your doctor about how to go about treating the infection. Following that, the hearing should be able to work itself out.
It’s a good idea to see a doctor as soon as you notice a change in the quality of your hearing, but hearing loss combined with a sinus infection could suggest that your infection has progressed, necessitating a trip to your ENT.
In conclusion, a sinus infection can commonly cause temporary hearing loss. However, most hearing loss caused by a sinus infection is only temporary and will be gone after the infection is gone.
If hearing loss persists after curing your sinus infection, you should consult your doctor for additional medical advice and treatment plans.