Changes in pressure from ascent and descent as well as artificial pressurization in aircraft can be painful even for people with good health. Changes in pressure can affect Eustachian tube function. The Eustachian tube pressurizes the middle ear where the eardrum and middle ear bones reside. The middle ear conducts sound energy mechanically to the inner ear and then to the brain. So, when your Eustachian tubes have a difficult time keeping up with changes in pressure, you may experience a mechanical type of hearing loss along with pain and discomfort.
Chewing gum, swallowing water, yawning all give your Eustachian tubes an opportunity to repressurize appropriately but this does not work for everyone, all of the time.
If pressure and pain during or after flying, please consult our office. We will take the time to check eardrum mobility and hearing before you are treated by one of our physicians, to ensure optimal ear health, hearing and hopefully more pleasant flying experiences in the future!
Sabrina Olivia, AuD
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Cedar allergy can affect your ears
Central Texas boasts the highest concentration of Mountain Juniper trees in the nation. Juniperus ashei, or what we call cedar trees provide erosion control, shade for livestock in all seasons and are frequently used as a building material due to its natural resistance to rot. Unfortunately, mountain juniper is one of the largest allergen producers in the area and is responsible for annual outbreaks of ‘cedar fever’. Mountain Juniper commonly blooms from November through March with the highest concentration between December and February. Symptoms of cedar allergy include itching eyes, ears, throat and palate, runny nose, cough and popping in the ears. This allergy can mutate into Cedar Fever which is the more insidious, long-lasting variant. It is categorized by the symptoms above but also includes headache, fatigue, fluid in the ears and sore throat.
The first ear-related symptom of Cedar allergy is usually popping in the ears. The second most common symptom is fluid in the ears. This is characterized by diminished hearing with a muffled quality and sometimes the sensation of fluid actually sloshing in the ears. This fluid is trapped behind the eardrum, not in the ear canal. After a period of Eustachian tube dysfunction, the vacuum in the middle ear begins to draw fluid from the tissues that line this cavity. The tissue that lines your middle ear is similar to the tissue that lines your nose and the fluid provides protection from the adverse condition of a middle ear vacuum. This condition is commonly treated with medical therapy consisting of nasal sprays, antihistimines and other drug therapy.
The Audiologists at Capital Otolaryngology will first test eardrum mobility (tympanometry) and hearing to provide an accurate measurement of the allergy’s impact on your ear health. After diagnosis and treatment by one of our physicians, you will follow up for another hearing evaluation to ensure that you have achieved maximum ear health.
Sabrina Olivia, AuD
The first ear-related symptom of Cedar allergy is usually popping in the ears. The second most common symptom is fluid in the ears. This is characterized by diminished hearing with a muffled quality and sometimes the sensation of fluid actually sloshing in the ears. This fluid is trapped behind the eardrum, not in the ear canal. After a period of Eustachian tube dysfunction, the vacuum in the middle ear begins to draw fluid from the tissues that line this cavity. The tissue that lines your middle ear is similar to the tissue that lines your nose and the fluid provides protection from the adverse condition of a middle ear vacuum. This condition is commonly treated with medical therapy consisting of nasal sprays, antihistimines and other drug therapy.
The Audiologists at Capital Otolaryngology will first test eardrum mobility (tympanometry) and hearing to provide an accurate measurement of the allergy’s impact on your ear health. After diagnosis and treatment by one of our physicians, you will follow up for another hearing evaluation to ensure that you have achieved maximum ear health.
Sabrina Olivia, AuD
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