There are a wide variety of reasons for muffled hearing. In the majority of instances, this condition is short-term. But muffled hearing can also be a sign that a more severe 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 show up gradually over a long period of time.
Often, one of the first recognizable symptoms is a sense that sounds feel muffled, distorted, or quieter. Muffled hearing, however, isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re developing long-term hearing loss. Indeed, millions of individuals experience muffled hearing each year.
You may be wondering: when do I need to be worried about muffled hearing? Generally, the answer tends to vary. Finding the best treatment for your muffled hearing depends on recognizing the root cause. Additional damage can be avoided and your hearing can get back to normal with some prompt solutions. 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.
What is muffled hearing?
Muffled hearing happens when sound is not able to move through your outer, middle, and inner ear in the way that it ordinarily does. This leads to a noticeable drop in sound quality. In most instances, those with muffled hearing can still hear some or even most things, but everything sounds quieter or distorted. This may particularly affect your ability to discern and understand voices and spoken language.
In many cases, and depending on the root cause, muffled hearing can be associated with a sense of fullness or stuffiness in your ears. Sometimes, when you’re on a plane or suffering from a cold you may experience this feeling. Muffled hearing isn’t always combined with this feeling, however.
What causes muffled hearing?
Muffled hearing can be caused by all kinds of problems. Figuring out the root cause of your muffled hearing can be essential in developing a successful treatment plan. Here are a few of the most common causes:
- Meniere’s Disease: When you have Menier’s Disease, you suffer from persistent hearing and balance problems. Dizziness, balance issues, tinnitus, and muffled ears will develop over time because of this disease. The symptoms of Menier’s disease can be managed but not cured.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: In some cases, muffled hearing can be the consequence of noise-related hearing loss. Sadly, this kind of hearing loss is normally permanent. Muffled hearing is often one of the very first noticeable symptoms; but by the time you detect the distorted sounds, damage to your stereocilia has likely already happened. You should find treatment rapidly to avoid your hearing growing significantly worse quickly.
- Infection: Sometimes, issues such as infections (including sinus infections or ear infections) can result in inflammation in the ear canal (this is especially true with ear infections). This will decrease your hearing ability by causing the ear canal to swell shut. Once the underlying infection goes away, any inflammation it caused should also clear.
- Earwax buildup: Earwax is usually a helpful thing. The health of your ear canal relies on the production of earwax. However, too much earwax can ultimately cause muffled hearing (or even loss of hearing). This earwax can usually be loosened up by using a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Do not use a cotton swab to attempt to dislodge the earwax, as cotton swabs can condense your earwax and make the problem worse. If the problem continues, come in and talk to us.
- Travel: The changing altitude associated with air travel can often cause a feeling of fullness in the ear, accompanied by muffled hearing. Your hearing will go back to normal relatively quickly once your physical conditions return to normal.
- Hearing loss associated with age: Most individuals will experience diminishing hearing as they age. Needless to say, when you’re 80 all of your senses will be less sharp than when you were 18. Over time, muffled hearing can be the consequence of this natural diminishing of your ability to hear.
The precise symptoms of muffled hearing will differ depending on the root cause.
Is there a cure for muffled hearing?
Not all forms of muffled hearing can be cured. The base cause of your muffled hearing will establish the treatment method. We might use some specialized tools to help clear out your ear canal if, for example, earwax buildup is at the root of your muffled hearing. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed if your muffled hearing is being caused by an infection.
In terms of sensorineural hearing loss, the focus changes to symptom management rather than a complete cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. However, symptoms can be managed. There might be numerous approaches to this treatment including a pair of hearing aids.
Hearing aids can help you remain connected to loved ones and go about your day-to-day activities without a significantly noticeable impact, especially when this process is initiated quickly.
Avoiding muffled hearing
No matter what you do, some kinds 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 detect any permanent hearing loss early. Contact us for an appointment right away.