Why does eating/drinking dairy cause me to have ear problems?

[ineffableblunder]

Hi! This is actually a long running question, not something that has happened recently.

My entire life I have described myself as having lactose intolerance for the convenience of it, but I dont actually have the symptoms of it. When I have dairy it actually effects my ears. When I have small amounts of dairy my ears plug up, similar to what happens to ears during a head cold, making my hearing worse. Other times, when I have a large amount of dairy I will often have a painful (and usually lasting) ear infection.

I have never known why I have this problem, and I'm wondering if it is a direct allergy to something in dairy, or if it could have a connection to my ears?  I am HOH, with congenital sensorineural hearing loss, and have often had more trouble with ear infections in general.

Could this be an alternate reaction to a  lactose intolerance, or something entirely different?

[SassyLassie]

Yes, my doctor once told me many years ago, that ear aches, etc, are connected to food allergies and sensitivities, so, you are more than likely having a reaction to the lactose intolerance.

[ineffableblunder]

Thank you!