When the leaves start changing from a bright green to a deeper orange and brown, the temperature starts to drop. When the wind picks up and you notice your neighborhood is festooned with pumpkins and spooky decorations, you know fall has arrived!
However, what you may not be aware of is that fall is also an excellent time to get your hearing checked. This is because fall is a season that transitions from hot to cooler weather, and that can significantly impact our hearing health. Many of us are at a greater risk of both temporary and permanent hearing loss during the autumn season.
Ear Infections are Common in the Fall
Kicking fallen leaves, drinking pumpkin spiced coffee and heading to the orchard to pick apples can make fall one of the most enjoyable seasons. Unfortunately, it’s also the season when a lot of us become most vulnerable to developing ear infections.
This is because ear infections occur when bacteria become trapped inside the ear and continue to grow. There are several ways that bacteria can find their way into our ears including traveling up the Eustachian tubes from the outer ear, nose, or throat when we get sick. Bacteria and viruses can also find their way into our ears when moisture enters through showering, swimming, and getting caught in a downpour, and then cannot get out again. The latter is particularly common during the fall.
The symptoms of an ear infection include pain and soreness in the inner or outer ear, redness around the outer ear, or the entrance to the inner ear. Some people may experience issues such as dizziness or nausea, tinnitus and echoing, as well.
The good news is that most ear infections will heal on their own, or with the help of antibiotics in the case of bacterial infections. However, repeated infections can do serious damage to your hearing, so it’s very important that you get your ears and hearing checked by a specialist.
Fall Allergies Can Impact Your Hearing
For those of us with allergies, dreading the beginning of spring is only natural. After all, that is when there is the largest volume of allergens in the air, right? Well, that isn’t always the case, as there are plenty of allergens that are released during fall as well.
One of the most typical causes of allergies in fall is ragweed. This is a plant that grows all across the US and is especially common in the Midwest and along the eastern coast. Ragweed blooms throughout August, September and November which means there is plenty of pollen in the atmosphere during the fall, which can aggravate those with allergies.
Unfortunately, this type of seasonal allergy can lead to increased earwax and swelling, which in turn creates blockages in the inner and outer ear. These blockages can lead to temporary hearing loss that only resides after the allergy-related symptoms are treated.
Additionally, allergies can result in a collection of fluid in the ear, which clogs the Eustachian tube and can also cause temporary hearing loss. If allergies impact the inner ear the risk of hearing loss is increased because they can cause issues such as Meniere’s disease.
Fall is the Most Common Time for Earwax Buildup
During the fall, your ears are also exposed to rain showers, temperature fluctuations and high winds. These can lead to additional auditory issues, particularly when the body reacts to the chill by solidifying the earwax. This can create a moisture trap, a known factor that can lead to ear problems and potential infections. In severe cases, it may result in blockages, affecting your hearing and even leaving you susceptible to conditions like tinnitus. It’s essential to take precautions to shield your ears from these potential complications during the fall season. In the event you develop a blockage, schedule an appointment with an audiologist to have this impaction safely and quickly removed.
Where to Get a Hearing Test During the Fall
If you suspect that you may be impacted by any of the issues above and want to start taking care of your hearing now, it’s crucial to find the right audiologist. The team at Quality Hearing & Audiology Center is here to help you with all your hearing needs. We can provide thorough and simple hearing tests as well as advise you on fall-specific hearing issues.