Muffled hearing can happen for a large number of reasons. In the majority of cases, this condition is short-term. But muffled hearing can also be an indication that a more severe hearing issue is happening. In part, that’s because, outside of sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is usually not a condition that progresses suddenly. Symptoms progress gradually and over time.
Typically, one of the first noticeable symptoms is a sense that sounds feel muffled, distorted, or quieter. However, it’s essential to mention that muffled hearing in and of itself isn’t always a sign of long-term hearing loss. Indeed, millions of individuals experience muffled hearing every year.
You might be wondering: when do I need to be concerned about muffled hearing? Generally, the answer tends to vary. Recognizing the root cause of your muffled hearing is critical to finding the best treatment approach. Timely solutions can sometimes help get your hearing back to normal, or, at least reduce possible harm. 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 not able to travel through your outer, middle, and inner ear in the way that it normally does. This results in a noticeable decrease in sound quality. Hearing won’t be entirely gone with muffled hearing but things will sound garbled and quieter. Discerning speech and language can be especially tough.
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 taking a flight or suffering from a cold you may experience this feeling. This plugged feeling, however, doesn’t always come along with muffled hearing.
What causes muffled hearing?
Muffled hearing can be caused by a wide variety of problems. In order to develop the suitable course of treatment, it’s important to establish the root cause. Here are a few of the most prevalent causes:
- Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s Disease is a long-term balance and hearing problem. Over time, this disease can trigger tinnitus, loss of hearing (often beginning with muffled hearing), and dizziness or loss of balance. The symptoms of Menier’s disease can be treated but not cured.
- Travel: The changing altitude associated with air travel can frequently cause a feeling of fullness in the ear, followed closely by muffled hearing. Your hearing will go back to normal rather quickly once your physical conditions return to normal.
- Hearing loss related to age: Most people will experience decreasing hearing as they get older. After all, there are few senses as acute when you are 80 as they were when you are 18. Over time, muffled hearing can be the result of this natural diminishing of your hearing.
- Earwax buildup: Earwax is usually a helpful thing. The health of your ear canal relies on the production of earwax. However, excessive earwax can ultimately cause muffled hearing (or even hearing loss). Try a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ear to loosen the wax up. Do not utilize a cotton swab to try to dislodge the earwax, as cotton swabs can compact your earwax and make the issue worse. If the problem lingers, come in and see us.
- Infection: In some cases, problems like infections (including sinus infections or ear infections) can cause inflammation in the ear canal (this is particularly true with ear infections). This inflammation can cause your ear canal to swell shut, effectively diminishing your ability to hear. Muffled hearing symptoms due to infections will typically clear up once the root illness has been dealt with.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Hearing loss which results from noise-related damage can sometimes result in muffled hearing. This form of hearing loss is, regrettably, usually permanent. Muffled hearing is frequently one of the earliest noticeable symptoms; but damage to your stereocilia has likely already happened by the time you notice the distorted sounds. You should seek out treatment rapidly to avoid your hearing growing considerably worse quickly.
The exact symptoms of muffled hearing will vary depending on the underlying cause.
Can muffled hearing be cured?
Some forms of muffled hearing can’t be cured. The treatment for your muffled hearing will differ depending on the base cause. For instance, if excessive earwax buildup is the principal cause, we might use specific tools to help you clear out your ear canal. Antibiotics are usually prescribed if your muffled hearing is being caused by an infection.
When it comes to sensorineural hearing loss, the focus changes to symptom management rather than a total cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. However, symptoms can be managed. There may be numerous approaches to this treatment including a pair of hearing aids.
Hearing aids can help you stay connected to loved ones and tackle your daily activities without a substantially noticeable effect, particularly when this process is initiated promptly.
How to steer clear of muffled hearing in the first place
No matter what you do, some forms of muffled hearing can’t be prevented. For instance, ear infections and sinus infections are hard to reliably avoid.
However, in most instances, regular hearing tests can help you avoid many of the causes of muffled hearing and detect any permanent hearing loss early. Contact us for an appointment right away.
