There are a wide variety of reasons for muffled hearing. In most instances, this situation is short-term. In other instances, muffled hearing can be a harbinger of more serious hearing-related problems. In part, that’s because, aside from sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is generally not a condition that develops suddenly. Symptoms build gradually and over time.
Often, one of the first recognizable symptoms is a sense that sounds feel muffled, distorted, or quieter. However, it’s significant to mention that muffled hearing in and of itself is not always an indication of permanent hearing loss. Indeed, millions of people experience muffled hearing every year.
You might be wondering: when should I be concerned about muffled hearing? The answer depends on several factors. Understanding 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 prompt solutions. You will be able to go 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?
Muffled hearing occurs when sound is unable to travel through your outer, middle, and inner ear in the way that it ordinarily does. A very noticeable decrease in sound quality is the result. In most instances, people with muffled hearing can still hear some or even most things, but things sound quieter or jumbled. This may especially affect your ability to discern and understand voices and spoken language.
Your ears will often also feel clogged up when your hearing is muffled. Many individuals have experienced this feeling temporarily, for instance, when they have a cold or when they are taking a flight. This clogged feeling, however, doesn’t always come with muffled hearing.
Causes of muffled hearing
Muffled hearing can be caused by all kinds of issues. In order to develop the correct course of treatment, it’s important to establish the root cause. Here are a few of the most prevalent causes:
- Hearing loss associated with age: As you age, your hearing can decline due to natural causes. After all, there are few senses as sharp when you are 80 as when you are 18. Over time, muffled hearing can be the result of this natural diminishing of your hearing.
- Infection: Inflammation of the ear canal will often come with problems like ear infections or sinus infections. This swelling can cause your ear canal to be completely blocked, effectively reducing your ability to hear. Muffled hearing symptoms due to infections will normally clear up after the root illness has been dealt with.
- Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s Disease is a chronic balance and hearing problem. Dizziness, balance problems, tinnitus, and muffled ears will manifest over time due to this disease. The symptoms of Menier’s disease can be treated but not cured.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Hearing loss caused by noise-related damage can sometimes cause muffled hearing. This form of hearing loss is, sadly, generally irreversible. One of the very first recognizable symptoms is muffled hearing; but damage to your stereocilia has usually already happened by the time you notice the distorted sounds. If you don’t seek out treatment quickly, your hearing will rapidly get worse.
- Travel: The changing altitude related to air travel can often cause a feeling of fullness in the ear, accompanied by muffled hearing. In most instances, this feeling will go away rapidly and your normal hearing will be restored.
- Earwax buildup: Usually, earwax is a good thing. It helps keep your ear canal healthy. However, too much earwax can eventually cause muffled hearing (or even hearing loss). Try a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ear to loosen things up. Never attempt to dislodge stuck earwax by using a cotton swab which will only pack the wax further up into the ear canal. If the problem persists, come in and talk to us.
The exact symptoms of muffled hearing will vary depending on the root cause.
Is there a cure for muffled hearing?
Not all kinds of muffled hearing can 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 may use specific tools to help you clear out your ear canal. Muffled hearing caused by an ear infection will likely clear up once the infection has been managed, so antibiotics are frequently prescribed.
Symptom management is generally the strategy when you have sensorineural hearing loss as opposed to a cure. That’s because sensorineural hearing loss can’t be cured. But it is possible to manage symptoms. This might take several forms, but the most common is the use of a set of hearing aids so that you can bring clarity to what you hear.
With hearing aids, you can continue to enjoy your day-to-day activities without hearing loss effecting your quality of life.
Avoiding muffled hearing
No matter what you do, certain forms of muffled hearing can’t be avoided. Infections, for example, can’t always be avoided.
However, in most instances, regular hearing tests can help you avoid many of the causes of muffled hearing and detect any permanent hearing loss early. These checkups can help you stay on top of your hearing health and get treatment promptly.
