Can Hearing Aids Help Reduce Chronic Sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis can be a debilitating condition. The inflammation and swelling in the nose and around the eyes often cause pain, pressure, congestion, and difficulty breathing. Hearing aids are an excellent device for those who have hearing loss. But can they also help with chronic sinusitis? In this post, we'll talk about the relationship between hearing and chronic sinusitis and what you should know if you're considering hearing aids as a treatment option.
Chronic Sinusitis and Hearing Loss
Two-thirds of people with chronic sinusitis also experience hearing loss. Since the ears and nose share a common pathway, it's not surprising that sinus conditions affect hearing in many people. It's estimated that about 50 million Americans suffer from chronic sinusitis. That means there are millions of people struggling with both hearing loss and chronic pain, all at the same time.
Sinusitis affects the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes, which are directly connected to the ears. If sinuses become blocked with mucus (a symptom of sinusitis), air cannot flow through these passages. This can create uncomfortable pressure in the head and ears exacerbated by changes in atmospheric pressure, like when you're on an airplane or in a high-rise building. The blockage may also cause mucous buildup behind the eardrum, leading to hearing loss.
Can Hearing Aids Help Reduce Sinusitis?
Hearing aids can help counteract the effects of hearing loss when you have chronic sinusitis. How? Let's say that your nose becomes stuffy and you're trying to watch TV. It's hard for you to hear, right? Now imagine how much more difficult it would be if one ear was blocked and your other ear had significant hearing loss. You'd miss out on important dialogue in shows and movies. This is why so many people experience greater clarity, comfort, and enjoyment when wearing their hearing aids. Because hearing aids bypass the eardrum and send sound directly into the ear canal, users benefit from improved acoustics no matter what state their ears or sinuses are in.
Hearing Loss Due to Sinuses
It's normal for your ears to 'pop' when you change altitude—go up or down in an airplane, for instance. This happens because the Eustachian tubes connecting your nose and throat to your middle ear are opening and closing to maintain pressure balance. If these tubes get blocked with mucus due to sinusitis or allergies, they can't perform their job properly. When this happens, hearing loss may result. Wearing hearing aids can enable people who have heard loss due to chronic sinusitis to recover some of that lost sound through amplification.
Sinus Treatments Options for Hearing Loss Due to Sinusitis
If you have chronic sinusitis and significant hearing loss, speak with a specialist about all the available options. Your specialist can work with you to find a treatment plan that works for you, including hearing aids, if suitable for your needs. You deserve to hear better.
You can experience more enjoyable listening experiences when you wear hearing aids along with their customized sounds and enhancements. Seeking treatment is never easy, but getting answers is worth it. If you are ready to begin, please contact us at Beltone Skoric Hearing Aid Center today.
References:
(1) http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/earacheOrSinusitus.cfm
(2) https://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/sinusitisFactsAndStatistics.cfm
