Your lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that are a critical part of the immune system. You have hundreds of them in clusters throughout your body: under your chin, in your armpits, in your groin and behind your ear. Usually, lymph nodes are small enough that you can’t feel them even though they’re just under the skin, but sometimes they swell, at which point you can see and touch them. So, let’s discuss lymph nodes, particularly the ones behind and in front of your ears, and how they might relate to your hearing.
What Do Lymph Nodes Do?
Lymph nodes function as filters, like the filter in a fish tank. Lymph fluid travels throughout your body, flushing out damaged cell material or foreign substances from the cells. The lymph fluid then carries that waste to the lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes house lymphocytes, powerful white blood cells that filter the lymph fluid and destroy foreign substances like viruses and bacteria. When the node encounters a pathogen, more lymphocytes are created to fight it, which causes the lymph node to swell.
Once the foreign substances have been destroyed, the lymph fluid carries the waste to the kidneys and liver for filtration and removal from the body, and the lymph nodes release the clean fluid back into the blood.
Why Are My Lymph Nodes Swollen?
Usually, when lymph nodes swell, it indicates a strong response against one of those foreign substances: your body is fighting off illness or infection. They may be tender or even painful to touch. Lymph node reactions are localized, so if you find some swollen lymph nodes, it could indicate an infection in that area.
Swollen lymph nodes behind or in front of your ear could indicate an infection nearby, such as an ear infection, sinus infection or otitis externa (or “swimmer’s ear”).
Do Swollen Lymph Nodes Affect Hearing?
The answer is: not directly. Swollen lymph nodes themselves won’t cause any temporary hear
ing loss or tinnitus; however, swollen lymph nodes might indicate something else that can impact hearing:
- Ear infections can cause mild, temporary hearing loss. Hearing should return to normal after the infection clears up.
- Clogged ears or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
- Sinusitis, which can cause blockage of the eustachian tubes connecting your ear to your nose and throat.
If you begin to experience hearing loss or tinnitus along with swollen lymph nodes, you should consult a healthcare provider. This may indicate that an infection is getting worse and needs more aggressive treatment. If you have concerns about your ears, lymph node swelling or hearing loss, book an appointment at Gulf Coast Audiology and we can discuss with you.