Nearly everyone has experienced muffled hearing at least once in their life. When this muffled hearing is temporary, it is not always a cause for concern. However, some instances of muffled hearing are permanent—known as permanent hearing loss. Knowing how to differentiate between temporary and permanent hearing loss is essential in ensuring you’re on the right treatment path. Let’s look at a few causes and symptoms of temporary and permanent hearing loss and how to treat each concern.
Temporary Hearing Loss
A few things to keep in mind when identifying temporary hearing loss include:
- Causes. Several factors can cause temporary hearing loss, such as exposure to loud noises, ear infections, wax buildup or changes in air pressure (such as during air travel or scuba diving).
- Symptoms. Symptoms of temporary hearing loss may include muffled or distorted sounds, difficulty understanding speech, tinnitus or a feeling of fullness in the ears.
- Duration. Temporary hearing loss is often reversible and typically resolves once the underlying cause is addressed. For example, hearing may return to normal after an ear infection clears up or after exposure to loud noise ceases. If you have repeated instances of temporary hearing loss, or it lasts longer than two days, it may be time to see a specialist.
- Treatment. Treatment for temporary hearing loss depends on the cause. For instance, ear infections may be treated with antibiotics, while earwax buildup can be removed by a hearing professional.
Although temporary hearing loss may appear to disappear after you treat the cause, some research suggests that you may still have suffered damage. Because damage can accumulate over time, leading to permanent hearing loss, seeking help from a hearing professional following trauma is recommended.
Permanent Hearing Loss
The sooner you identify permanent hearing loss, the sooner you can begin to treat it. A few things to look out for include the following:
- Causes. There are three types of permanent hearing loss: conductive (outer or middle ear), sensorineural (inner ear) and mixed (both). Any damage or obstruction that prevents the inner and middle ear or auditory nerve from doing their job can cause hearing loss. Common sources include damage to the hair cells in the ear from aging (presbycusis), prolonged exposure to loud noise (noise-induced hearing loss), genetic factors, certain medications and medical conditions like Ménière's disease.
- Symptoms. Symptoms of permanent hearing loss may include difficulty understanding speech, asking others to repeat themselves frequently, turning up the volume on electronic devices and feeling socially isolated due to communication difficulties.
- Duration. Permanent hearing loss is irreversible and typically persists and progresses throughout a person's lifetime.
- Treatment. Treatment options for permanent hearing loss focus on improving communication and quality of life. This may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices or auditory rehabilitation programs.
Keeping an eye on changes in your hearing is only one piece of the hearing healthcare puzzle. It is also essential to schedule regular hearing tests and contact your audiology provider if you notice any sudden changes in your ability to understand sound. For instance, you may notice you need to raise the volume on the TV higher than usual, or that you can no longer hear the drink specials at Extended Cup.
We’re here to help you along every step of your hearing journey. Contact Elevate Audiology today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
