If sounds become muffled after eating gluten products, you may have sensitivity to the protein. Gluten sensitivity is commonly confused with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that destroys the lining of the intestine when you consume the protein gluten. Gluten sensitivity, or allergy, is an immune system reaction that produces histamine and causes inflammation throughout your body that can cause mild to severe symptoms, including congestion in the ears, lungs and sinuses. Have your ears checked by your doctor to ensure you don’t have an ear infection.
Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten sensitivity is commonly associated with a wheat allergy because wheat is one of the primary grains that contain this protein, according to MayoClinic.com. Rye, barley and some oats also consist of gluten and need to be avoided if you have a gluten allergy. Instead of your immune system identifying the protein as harmless, it is hypersensitive to it, which releases histamine into the blood stream. Histamine dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow, which produces excess mucus as part of the allergic response.
Ear Congestion
Congestion that forms in your ears is the result of increased histamine production in the soft tissues around the ear. Histamine protects against infection but can cause inflammation when created in excess. Ear congestion may also occur from nasal inflammation. During a gluten allergy, your sinus cavities swell, cutting off the ability to drain mucus through your nose. This reaction often causes mucus to back up and become trapped in your sinuses, placing pressure on the inner-ear. If inflammation causes blockage of your ear tube, you can develop an ear infection.
Treatment
The Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital recommends using antihistamines and decongestants if you develop ear congestion. Antihistamines are medications that prevent mast cells in soft tissues from creating histamine. This can help alleviate the swelling in your sinuses and ear. If the ear congestion is related to sinus congestion, a decongestant will reduce the swelling in the sinuses, causing your nasal passages to drain. The most effective treatment for any food-related allergy is to identify and eliminate the food that is triggering the symptoms.
Complications
If you develop ear pain, the feeling of fullness in the ear, vomiting, diarrhea, hearing loss, fever, body chills and the feeling of being ill, MedlinePlus recommends calling your doctor. These are signs of an ear infection, which may require antibiotic treatment to kill any harmful bacteria that have developed from the congestion.
