There are a wide variety of reasons for muffled hearing. In most cases, this situation is short-term. In other instances, muffled hearing can be a harbinger of more substantial hearing-related issues. That’s because, in general, hearing loss is a slowly developing condition. Symptoms appear gradually over a long period of time.
In many cases, one of the first recognizable symptoms is a sense that sounds feel muffled, distorted, or quieter. Muffled hearing, however, isn’t necessarily an indication that you are developing permanent hearing loss. Indeed, millions of people experience muffled hearing every year.
Maybe you’re wondering if you should be concerned about your muffled hearing. The answer depends on several factors. Finding the correct treatment for your muffled hearing depends on understanding the underlying cause. Added damage can be prevented and your hearing can get back to normal with some prompt solutions. 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 usually does. A rather noticeable decline in sound quality is the outcome. In the majority of instances, people 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.
Your ears will frequently also feel plugged up when your hearing is muffled. Sometimes, when you’re on a plane or have a cold you might experience this feeling. Muffled hearing is not always accompanied by this feeling, however.
Causes of muffled hearing
Muffled hearing can be caused by all kinds of problems. Figuring out the root cause of your muffled hearing can be essential in establishing an effective treatment plan. Some of the most common causes of muffled hearing include the following:
- Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s Disease is a chronic balance and hearing problem. Over time, this disease can trigger tinnitus, loss of hearing (often beginning with muffled hearing), and dizziness or loss of balance. There’s no cure for Meniere’s Disease, but symptoms can be managed.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: In some cases, muffled hearing can be the consequence of noise-related hearing loss. Sadly, this kind of hearing loss is usually irreversible. Muffled hearing is often one of the earliest noticeable symptoms; but damage to your stereocilia has usually already occurred by the time you notice the distorted sounds. You should seek out treatment promptly to avoid your hearing growing significantly worse quickly.
- Age-related hearing loss: As you get older, your hearing can diminish as a result of natural causes. After all, there are few senses as sharp when you are 80 as they were when you are 18. This natural diminishing in your hearing ability can cause muffled hearing over time.
- Travel: Altitude changes, like when you’re on a plane, can lead to a feeling of muffled ears. In most cases, this feeling will go away rapidly and your normal hearing will be restored.
- Infection: Inflammation of the ear canal will frequently come with issues like ear infections or sinus infections. This inflammation can cause your ear canal to swell shut, effectively decreasing your ability to hear. Muffled hearing symptoms caused by infections will typically clear up after the root illness has been dealt with.
- 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 typically be loosened up by utilizing a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Never try to dislodge stuck earwax by using a cotton swab which will only push the wax further up into the ear canal. If the problem lingers, come in and talk to us.
Depending on the underlying cause, the precise symptoms of muffled hearing will vary.
Can muffled hearing be cured?
Some types of muffled hearing can’t be cured. The base cause of your muffled hearing will determine the treatment method. We may use some specialized tools to help clean out your ear canal if, for instance, earwax accumulation is at the root of your muffled hearing. Muffled hearing caused by an ear infection will usually clear up once the infection has been managed, so antibiotics are often prescribed.
Symptom management is usually the strategy when you’re dealing with sensorineural hearing loss rather than a cure. That’s because sensorineural hearing loss can’t be reversed. However, symptoms can be managed. This may take a number of forms, but the most common is the use of a set of hearing aids in order to bring clarity to what you hear.
With hearing aids, you can continue to enjoy your daily activities without hearing loss effecting your quality of life.
Avoiding muffled hearing
No matter what you do, some kinds of muffled hearing can’t be prevented. Infections, for example, can’t always be avoided.
However, in most cases, routine 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 quickly.
