Do your ears feel plugged up, or do sounds seem more muffled than usual? It may be temporary hearing loss. Temporary hearing loss, as the name suggests, is typically not permanent and often mild. Below, we’ll go over five common reasons why you might be experiencing temporary hearing loss.
Loud Noise Exposure
Loud noises commonly cause hearing damage. The sound waves generated by loud noises enter your inner ear with force, and that force can damage the delicate structures in the inner ear that are integral to hearing. If you’ve been to a concert or a shooting range recently, or been anywhere else where loud noise can occur, you may notice a muffled effect on your hearing for a day or two afterward.
Permanent damage to hearing from loud noise exposure is called noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL. NIHL is completely preventable, so be proactive about protecting your hearing health if you notice temporary hearing loss as a result of loud noise exposure.
Earwax Blockage
Do you clean earwax out of your ear with a cotton swab? This can actually backfire. Inserting a cotton swab, finger or any other instrument into your ear will push earwax back into the canal, where it can gum together and become impacted. Impacted earwax will obstruct the ear canal, making sounds entering the ear sound far away or muted.
Middle Ear Infection
Middle ear infections often develop as a complication of the common cold or other viral infections. The virus irritates the Eustachian tubes, which connect the ear to the throat, making them swell, which can cause fluid to build up in the middle ear, behind the eardrum. Bacteria grows prolifically in this fluid, which leads to infection. This is especially common in children.
Treat an ear infection at home by getting lots of rest and staying hydrated. If the infection doesn’t clear up in a few days, visit a doctor and ask about antibiotics.
Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is an ear infection, much like the middle ear infection discussed above, except the site of the infection is in the ear canal, not the middle ear. It often happens after swimming, earning it the nickname “swimmer’s ear.” When water gets trapped in the ear canal, it facilitates the growth of bacteria. Much like a middle ear infection, swimmer’s ear can be treated with home remedies and antibiotics.
Ototoxic Medications
Certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are known to cause direct damage to your ears and hearing. These medications are called “ototoxic drugs.” Most of these medicines are essential for treating cancer, infections, and heart disease, and just like any medication with side effects, it’s important to weigh the benefits and stay informed about your treatment plan.
Often, changes to hearing caused by medications—such as temporary hearing loss or tinnitus—will go back to normal once you stop taking the drug.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you’ve had symptoms of temporary hearing loss for longer than a few days, or if hearing loss was sudden and severe, you should see a hearing health care professional right away. In that case, call Heard It Through The Grapevine Audiology, PC to discuss your symptoms and schedule a hearing test.