Muffled hearing can present for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, this condition is temporary. But muffled hearing can also be a sign that a more serious hearing issue is happening. In part, that’s because, outside of sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is usually not a condition that develops suddenly. Symptoms show up gradually over a long period of time.
In many cases, one of the first noticeable 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 long-term hearing loss. Indeed, millions of people experience muffled hearing each year.
Perhaps you’re wondering if you should be worried about your muffled hearing. The answer depends on several factors. Finding the correct treatment for your muffled hearing depends on recognizing the underlying cause. Added damage can be avoided and your hearing can get back to normal with some quick solutions. You will be able to go back to enjoying the sounds of your life after you get us to assist you with some successful treatments.
What is muffled hearing?
When sound can’t travel through your outer, middle, and inner ear in a normal way, your hearing can sound muffled. This leads to a noticeable decrease in sound quality. Hearing won’t be totally gone with muffled hearing but things will sound distorted and quieter. Discerning speech and language can be particularly challenging.
Your ears will often also feel plugged up when your hearing is muffled. Lots of people have experienced this feeling for a short time, for instance, when they have a cold or are flying. Muffled hearing is not always accompanied by this feeling, however.
What causes muffled hearing?
There are lots of potential causes of muffled hearing. Figuring out the underlying cause of your muffled hearing can be essential in developing a successful treatment plan. Some of the most prevalent causes of muffled hearing include the following:
- Infection: Swelling of the ear canal will frequently come with problems such as ear infections or sinus infections. This inflammation can cause your ear canal to be completely blocked, effectively decreasing your ability to hear. Once the root infection clears, any inflammation it caused should also clear.
- Age-associated hearing loss: Most people will experience decreasing hearing as they age. After all, there are few senses as sharp when you are 80 as they were when you are 18. This normal diminishing in your ability to hear can cause muffled hearing over time.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Hearing loss which results from noise damage can sometimes result in muffled hearing. This form of hearing loss is, regrettably, normally permanent. One of the first recognizable symptoms is muffled hearing; but damage to your stereocilia has usually already happened 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 lead to a feeling of muffled ears. Your hearing will go back to normal relatively quickly once your physical conditions return to normal.
- Earwax buildup: Normally, earwax is a positive thing. The health of your ear canal depends on the production of earwax. However, excessive earwax can eventually cause muffled hearing (or even loss of hearing). Try a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ear to loosen things up. Never attempt to free stuck earwax with a cotton swab which will only pack the wax further up into the ear canal. We can help if the issue continues.
- Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s Disease is a chronic balance and hearing problem. Over time, this disease can cause tinnitus, hearing loss (frequently beginning with muffled hearing), and dizziness or loss of balance. There’s no cure for Meniere’s Disease, but symptoms can be treated.
The exact symptoms of muffled hearing will vary depending on the root cause.
Is there a cure for muffled hearing?
Some types of muffled hearing can’t be cured. The underlying cause of your muffled hearing will determine the treatment strategy. We may use some special tools to help clean out your ear canal if, for example, 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 have sensorineural hearing loss as opposed to a cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. But it is possible to manage symptoms. There might be several strategies to this treatment including a pair 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 forms of muffled hearing are hard to avoid, no matter what. Infections, for example, can’t always be avoided.
However, in most instances, regular hearing tests can help you steer clear of many of the causes of muffled hearing and identify any permanent hearing loss early. Call us for an appointment right away.