There are a large number of reasons for muffled hearing. In most instances, this situation is short-term. But muffled hearing can also be an indication that a more serious hearing issue is taking place. Partly, that’s because, outside of sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is usually not a condition that develops suddenly. Symptoms appear gradually over a long time period.
One of the first symptoms of gradually developing long-term hearing loss is the feeling that your hearing is muffled. Muffled hearing, however, isn’t always a sign that you’re developing long-term hearing loss. Indeed, millions of people experience muffled hearing each year.
You may be wondering: when should I be concerned about muffled hearing? The answer depends on a number of factors. Finding the proper treatment for your muffled hearing depends on recognizing the root cause. Timely solutions can sometimes help get your hearing back to normal, or, at least reduce possible harm. Calling us for a consultation can help you begin this process, typically leading to successful treatments, so you can keep enjoying the sounds of your day-to-day life.
What is muffled hearing?
Muffled hearing happens when sound is unable to move through your outer, middle, and inner ear in the way that it normally does. A rather noticeable decrease in sound fidelity is the outcome. In the majority of cases, people with muffled hearing can still hear some or even most things, but everything sounds quieter or jumbled. Hearing speech and language can be particularly tough.
In many instances, and depending on the root cause, muffled hearing can be accompanied by a sense of fullness or stuffiness in your ears. Sometimes, when you’re taking a flight or suffering from a cold you might experience this feeling. Muffled hearing is not always associated with this feeling, however.
Causes of muffled hearing
There are a lot of potential causes of muffled hearing. Identifying the underlying cause of your muffled hearing can be important in establishing a successful treatment plan. Some of the most prevalent causes of muffled hearing include the following:
- Infection: Inflammation of the ear canal will often accompany issues like ear infections or sinus infections. This will decrease your hearing ability by causing the ear canal to swell shut. Muffled hearing symptoms due to infections will typically clear up once the root illness has been treated.
- Earwax buildup: Earwax is generally a helpful thing. The health of your ear canal relies on the generation of earwax. But muffled hearing (and in some instances even hearing loss) can be the consequence of excess earwax. Try a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ear to loosen the wax up. Never attempt to dislodge stuck earwax with a cotton swab which will only pack the wax further up into the ear canal. We can help if the problem persists.
- Travel: Altitude changes, like when you’re on a plane, can cause a feeling of muffled ears. Your hearing will go back to normal rather quickly once your physical conditions return to normal.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: In some cases, muffled hearing can be the outcome of noise-related hearing loss. Regrettably, this form of hearing loss is normally permanent. One of the very first recognizable symptoms is muffled hearing; but by the time you detect the distorted sounds, damage to your stereocilia has most likely already taken place. You should seek out treatment promptly to avoid your hearing growing considerably worse quickly.
- Age-related hearing loss: Most individuals 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. This natural diminishing in your hearing ability can cause muffled hearing over time.
- Meniere’s Disease: When you have Menier’s Disease, you suffer from persistent hearing and balance issues. Dizziness, balance issues, tinnitus, and muffled ears will manifest over time as a result of this disease. There’s no cure for Meniere’s Disease, but symptoms can be treated.
Depending on the underlying cause, the exact symptoms of muffled hearing will vary.
Can muffled hearing be cured?
Some forms of muffled hearing can’t be cured. The root cause of your muffled hearing will determine the treatment method. For instance, if excessive earwax buildup is the main 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’re dealing with sensorineural hearing loss rather than a cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. But it is possible to control symptoms. There may be several strategies to this treatment including a pair of hearing aids.
With hearing aids, you can keep enjoying your day-to-day activities without hearing loss effecting your quality of life.
Avoiding muffled hearing
No matter what you do, certain kinds of muffled hearing can’t be prevented. For instance, ear infections and sinus infections are hard to easily avoid.
Getting your hearing examined, however, can help identify any causes of muffled hearing and can help prevent any long-term hearing loss that may be developing. These checkups can help you stay on top of your hearing health and get treatment promptly.