There are a large number of reasons for muffled hearing. For most individuals, it’s a temporary situation. In other cases, muffled hearing can be a harbinger of more significant hearing-related issues. In part, that’s because, outside of sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is generally not a condition that develops suddenly. Symptoms develop slowly and over time.
One of the first symptoms of slowly progressing long-term hearing loss is the feeling that your hearing is muffled. However, it’s essential to point out that muffled hearing in and of itself isn’t always a sign of long-term hearing loss. Indeed, millions of people experience muffled hearing every year.
Maybe you’re wondering if you should be worried about your muffled hearing. Generally, the answer varies. Finding the best treatment for your muffled hearing depends on recognizing the root cause. Added damage can be prevented and your hearing can get back to normal with some quick 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.
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 decline in sound quality is the result. In the majority of cases, people with muffled hearing can still hear some or even most things, but things sound quieter or jumbled. This may particularly impact your ability to hear and understand voices and spoken language.
In many cases, and depending on the root cause, muffled hearing can be combined with a sense of fullness or stuffiness in your ears. Sometimes, when you’re taking a flight or have a cold you may experience this feeling. Muffled hearing is not always associated with this feeling, however.
What causes muffled hearing?
Muffled hearing can be caused by all kinds of issues. Determining the underlying cause of your muffled hearing can be essential in developing an effective treatment plan. Here are some of the most prevalent causes:
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Sometimes, muffled hearing can be the result of noise-related hearing loss. Unfortunately, this form of hearing loss is normally irreversible. Muffled hearing is frequently one of the earliest noticeable symptoms; but by the time you detect the distorted sounds, damage to your stereocilia has most likely already taken place. You should find treatment rapidly to avoid your hearing growing significantly worse quickly.
- Infection: Inflammation of the ear canal will often come with issues like ear infections or sinus infections. This inflammation can cause your ear canal to swell shut, effectively reducing your ability to hear. Once the root infection clears, any swelling it caused should also clear.
- Meniere’s Disease: When you have Menier’s Disease, you suffer from chronic hearing and balance problems. Dizziness, balance problems, tinnitus, and muffled ears will develop over time because of this disease. The symptoms of Menier’s disease can be managed but not cured.
- Hearing loss associated with age: As you get older, your hearing can decline as a result of natural causes. After all, there are few senses as acute when you are 80 as they were when you are 18. This normal diminishing in your hearing ability can cause muffled hearing over time.
- Travel: Altitude changes, such as when you’re on a plane, can cause a feeling of muffled ears. In most cases, this feeling will pass rapidly and your normal hearing will be restored.
- Earwax buildup: Earwax is usually a helpful thing. It helps keep your ear canal healthy. But muffled hearing (and in some cases even hearing loss) can be the result of too much earwax. This earwax can usually be loosened up by using a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Never try to free stuck earwax by using a cotton swab which will only pack the wax further up into the ear canal. We can help if the problem persists.
Depending on the underlying cause, the precise symptoms of muffled hearing will differ.
Can muffled hearing be cured?
Some forms of muffled hearing can’t be cured. The underlying cause of your muffled hearing will determine the treatment strategy. For instance, if excess earwax buildup is the principal cause, we might use specific tools to help you clear out your ear canal. Antibiotics are typically prescribed if your muffled hearing is being caused by an infection.
Symptom management is generally the strategy when you have sensorineural hearing loss rather than a cure. That’s because sensorineural hearing loss can not be cured. But it is possible to manage symptoms. There might be numerous approaches to this treatment including a set of hearing aids.
With hearing aids, you can continue to enjoy your daily activities without hearing loss impacting your quality of life.
Avoiding muffled hearing
Some types of muffled hearing are difficult to avoid, no matter what. Infections, for example, can’t always be avoided.
Getting your hearing examined, however, can help detect any causes of muffled hearing and can help prevent any long-term hearing loss that may be developing. Call us for an appointment right away.