Muffled hearing can present for a large number of reasons. In most cases, this situation is temporary. In other instances, muffled hearing can be a precursor of more serious hearing-related issues. That’s because, for the most part, hearing loss is a gradually developing condition. Symptoms build slowly and over time.
Often, one of the first recognizable symptoms is a sense that sounds feel muffled, distorted, or quieter. However, it’s important to mention that muffled hearing in and of itself isn’t always an indication of long-term hearing loss. Indeed, millions of people experience muffled hearing every year.
You might be wondering: when do I need to be concerned about muffled hearing? Generally, the answer varies. Recognizing the root cause of your muffled hearing is essential to finding the right treatment plan. Additional damage can be avoided and your hearing can get back to normal with some quick solutions. Contacting us for a consultation can help you start this process, often leading to successful treatments, so you can keep enjoying the sounds of your day-to-day life.
Muffled Hearing – what exactly is it?
When sound can’t move through your outer, middle, and inner ear in a normal way, your hearing can sound muffled. A rather noticeable reduction in sound quality is the outcome. Hearing won’t be completely gone with muffled hearing but things will sound distorted and quieter. This may particularly affect your ability to discern and understand voices and spoken language.
In many cases, and depending on the underlying cause, muffled hearing can be combined with a sense of fullness or stuffiness in your ears. Lots of people have experienced this feeling for a short time, for example, when they have a cold or are flying. Muffled hearing isn’t always associated with this feeling, however.
What causes muffled hearing?
There are a lot of potential causes of muffled hearing. In order to establish the correct course of treatment, it’s essential to figure out the root cause. Some of the most common causes of muffled hearing include the following:
- Infection: Inflammation of the ear canal will frequently accompany issues like ear infections or sinus infections. This inflammation can cause your ear canal to be completely blocked, effectively reducing your ability to hear. Once the root infection clears, any inflammation it caused should also clear.
- Earwax buildup: Usually, earwax is a positive thing. It helps keep your ear canal healthy. However, excessive earwax can ultimately cause muffled hearing (or even hearing loss). Try a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ear to loosen things up. Do not use a cotton swab to try to dislodge the earwax, as cotton swabs can compact your earwax and make the problem worse. If the issue continues, come in and talk to us.
- Age-related hearing loss: As you get older, your hearing can diminish due to natural causes. Obviously, when you’re 80 all of your senses will be less acute than when you were 18. Over time, muffled hearing can be the outcome of this normal decline of your ability to hear.
- Travel: Altitude changes, like when you’re on a plane, can lead to a feeling of muffled ears. In most cases, this feeling will go away rapidly and your normal hearing will be restored.
- Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s Disease is a chronic balance and hearing issue. Over time, this disease can trigger tinnitus, hearing loss (frequently beginning with muffled hearing), and dizziness or loss of balance. The symptoms of Menier’s disease can be treated but not cured.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: In some cases, muffled hearing can be the outcome of noise-related hearing loss. Sadly, this form of hearing loss is usually permanent. One of the very first recognizable symptoms is muffled hearing; but by the time you notice the distorted sounds, damage to your stereocilia has probably already occurred. If you don’t seek out treatment quickly, your hearing will rapidly get worse.
Depending on the root cause, the exact symptoms of muffled hearing will differ.
Is there a cure for muffled hearing?
Some forms of muffled hearing can’t be cured. The treatment for your muffled hearing will change depending on the root cause. We may use some specialized tools to help clear out your ear canal if, for example, earwax buildup is at the root of your muffled hearing. Muffled hearing caused by an ear infection will typically clear up once the infection has been managed, so antibiotics are often prescribed.
Symptom management is usually the approach when you’re dealing with sensorineural hearing loss rather than a cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. However, symptoms can be controlled. There may be numerous strategies to this treatment including a pair of hearing aids.
Hearing aids can help you remain connected to loved ones and tackle your daily activities without a substantially noticeable effect, particularly when this process is started promptly.
How to avoid muffled hearing in the first place
No matter what you do, some forms of muffled hearing can’t be prevented. Infections, for example, can’t always be avoided.
Having your hearing tested, however, can help identify any causes of muffled hearing and can help avoid any long-term hearing loss that may be developing. These examinations can help you stay on top of your hearing health and get treatment quickly.