Muffled hearing can present for a large number of reasons. In the majority of instances, this situation is temporary. In other instances, muffled hearing can be a precursor of more significant hearing-related problems. In part, that’s because, outside of sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is usually not a condition that progresses suddenly. Symptoms develop slowly and over time.
Often, 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 permanent hearing loss. Indeed, millions of individuals experience muffled hearing every year.
Maybe you’re wondering if you should be worried about your muffled hearing. The answer depends on a number of factors. Recognizing the root cause of your muffled hearing is critical to finding the right treatment approach. Added damage can be avoided and your hearing can get back to normal with some prompt solutions. You will be able to get back to enjoying the sounds of your life after you get us to help you with some successful treatments.
Muffled Hearing – what exactly is it?
When sound can’t travel through your outer, middle, and inner ear in a normal way, your hearing can sound muffled. A rather noticeable decrease in sound fidelity is the result. In most cases, those with muffled hearing can still hear some or even most things, but everything sounds quieter or distorted. This may especially affect your ability to hear and understand voices and spoken language.
In many instances, and depending on the underlying cause, muffled hearing can be combined with a sense of fullness or stuffiness in your ears. Many people have experienced this feeling temporarily, for example, when they have a cold or are taking a flight. This plugged feeling, however, doesn’t always come with muffled hearing.
Causes of muffled hearing
There are a lot of potential causes of muffled hearing. In order to formulate the suitable course of treatment, it’s essential to determine the root cause. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Age-associated hearing loss: Most people will experience decreasing hearing as they age. Obviously, when you’re 80 all of your senses will be less sharp than when you were 18. Over time, muffled hearing can be the consequence of this normal diminishing of your hearing.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Hearing loss which results from noise damage can sometimes result in muffled hearing. This type of hearing loss is, unfortunately, normally irreversible. Muffled hearing is frequently one of the first noticeable symptoms; but damage to your stereocilia has usually already occurred by the time you detect the distorted sounds. If you don’t seek out treatment quickly, your hearing will rapidly get worse.
- 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.
- Infection: In some cases, problems such as infections (including sinus infections or ear infections) can cause swelling in the ear canal (this is especially true with ear infections). This swelling can cause your ear canal to swell shut, effectively diminishing your ability to hear. Muffled hearing symptoms caused by infections will usually clear up after the underlying illness has been treated.
- Earwax buildup: Usually, earwax is a positive thing. It helps keep your ear canal healthy. But muffled hearing (and in some instances even hearing loss) can be the consequence of excess earwax. This earwax can usually be loosened up by utilizing a couple of 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 issue persists.
- Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s Disease is a long-term balance and hearing problem. Over time, this disease can cause 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.
Depending on the underlying cause, the exact symptoms of muffled hearing will vary.
Can muffled hearing be cured?
Not all kinds of muffled hearing have a cure. The root cause of your muffled hearing will determine the treatment strategy. We may use some specialized tools to help clear out your ear canal if, for instance, earwax buildup is at the root of your muffled hearing. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed if your muffled hearing is being caused by an infection.
Symptom management is usually the strategy when you’re dealing with sensorineural hearing loss as opposed to a cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. However, symptoms can be managed. This may take several forms, but the most prevalent is using a set of hearing aids so that you can bring clarity to what you hear.
Hearing aids can help you remain connected to loved ones and go about your daily activities without a significantly noticeable impact, especially when this process is initiated promptly.
How to steer clear of muffled hearing in the first place
Some forms 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 identify any causes of muffled hearing and can help avoid any long-term hearing loss that may be developing. Contact us for an appointment right away.