There are a wide variety of reasons for muffled hearing. For most people, it’s a temporary situation. But muffled hearing can also be a sign that a more serious hearing issue is happening. In part, that’s because, aside from sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is usually not a condition that progresses suddenly. Symptoms progress slowly and over time.
Typically, one of the first noticeable symptoms is a sense that sounds feel muffled, distorted, or quieter. Muffled hearing, however, isn’t always an indication that you are developing permanent hearing loss. Each year millions of people experience muffled hearing.
You may be wondering: when should I be worried about muffled hearing? Generally, the answer varies. Finding the best treatment for your muffled hearing depends on recognizing the underlying cause. Timely solutions can sometimes help get your hearing back to normal, or, at least minimize possible damage. You will be able to get back to enjoying the sounds of your life after you get us to assist you with some successful treatments.
Muffled Hearing – what exactly is it?
Muffled hearing takes place when sound is unable to travel through your outer, middle, and inner ear in the way that it ordinarily does. A rather noticeable decrease in sound quality is the result. In most cases, those with muffled hearing can still hear some or even most things, but things sound quieter or distorted. Discerning speech and language can be particularly challenging.
In many instances, and depending on the root cause, muffled hearing can be combined with a sense of fullness or stuffiness in your ears. Sometimes, when you’re taking a flight or suffering from a cold you might experience this feeling. Muffled hearing is not always combined with this feeling, however.
Causes of muffled hearing
Muffled hearing can be caused by all kinds of problems. In order to develop the suitable course of treatment, it’s essential to determine the root cause. Here are a few of the most prevalent causes:
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Hearing loss which results from noise damage can sometimes bring about muffled hearing. This type of hearing loss is, unfortunately, usually irreversible. Muffled hearing is frequently one of the very first detectable symptoms; but damage to your stereocilia has usually already occurred by the time you detect the distorted sounds. If you don’t find treatment quickly, your hearing will rapidly get worse.
- Meniere’s Disease: When you have Menier’s Disease, you suffer from chronic hearing and balance problems. Dizziness, balance issues, tinnitus, and muffled ears will manifest over time because of this disease. There is no cure for Meniere’s Disease, but symptoms can be managed.
- Earwax buildup: Usually, earwax is a positive thing. The health of your ear canal relies on the generation of earwax. However, excessive earwax can eventually cause muffled hearing (or even hearing loss). This earwax can typically be loosened up by using a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide. Never attempt to free stuck earwax by using a cotton swab which will only pack the wax further up into the ear canal. If the problem persists, come in and see us.
- Travel: The changing air pressure related to air travel can frequently cause a feeling of fullness in the ear, accompanied by muffled hearing. Your hearing will go back to normal rather quickly once your physical conditions return to normal.
- Age-related hearing loss: As you age, your hearing can diminish due to natural causes. After all, there are few senses as sharp when you are 80 as when you are 18. This normal diminishing in your hearing ability can cause muffled hearing over time.
- Infection: Inflammation of the ear canal will often accompany problems like ear infections or sinus infections. This inflammation can cause your ear canal to swell shut, effectively reducing your ability to hear. Once the base infection goes away, any swelling it caused should also clear.
The precise symptoms of muffled hearing will differ depending on the underlying cause.
Can muffled hearing be cured?
Not all kinds of muffled hearing can be cured. The root cause of your muffled hearing will establish the treatment method. We might use some special tools to help clear out your ear canal if, for instance, earwax accumulation is at the root of your muffled hearing. Antibiotics are typically prescribed if your muffled hearing is being caused by an infection.
In terms of sensorineural hearing loss, the emphasis changes to symptom management rather than a total cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. But it is possible to manage symptoms. This may take a number of forms, but the most common is the use of a pair of hearing aids in order to bring clarity to what you hear.
Hearing aids can help you stay connected to loved ones and tackle your daily activities without a substantially noticeable impact, especially when this process is initiated promptly.
How to avoid muffled hearing in the first place
No matter what you do, certain forms of muffled hearing can’t be prevented. Infections, for instance, can’t always be avoided.
However, in most instances, routine hearing tests can help you steer clear of many of the causes of muffled hearing and identify any permanent hearing loss early. These checkups can help you stay on top of your hearing health and get treatment quickly.
