There are a wide variety of reasons for muffled hearing. For most people, it’s a temporary situation. But muffled hearing can also be a sign that a more severe hearing issue is happening. Partly, that’s because, aside from sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is generally not a condition that develops suddenly. Symptoms build slowly and over time.
Typically, one of the first detectable symptoms is a sense that sounds feel muffled, distorted, or quieter. Muffled hearing, however, isn’t necessarily an indication that you’re developing long-term hearing loss. Indeed, millions of individuals experience muffled hearing each year.
Perhaps you’re wondering if you should be concerned about your muffled hearing. The answer depends on a number of factors. Finding the proper treatment for your muffled hearing depends on understanding the underlying cause. Added damage can be avoided and your hearing can get back to normal with some quick solutions. Calling us for a consultation can help you begin this process, typically resulting in successful treatments, so you can keep enjoying the sounds of your day-to-day life.
What is muffled hearing?
Muffled hearing takes place when sound is not able to travel through your outer, middle, and inner ear in the way that it normally does. A very noticeable decrease in sound quality is the result. In most instances, those with muffled hearing can still hear some or even most things, but things sound quieter or distorted. Discerning speech and language can be especially difficult.
In many cases, and depending on the root cause, muffled hearing can be associated 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 when they are flying. This plugged feeling, however, doesn’t always come along with muffled hearing.
What causes muffled hearing?
There are lots of possible causes of muffled hearing. In order to develop the correct course of treatment, it’s essential to figure out the root cause. Here are a few of the most common causes:
- Earwax buildup: Usually, earwax is a good thing. The health of your ear canal depends on the generation of earwax. However, too much earwax can ultimately cause muffled hearing (or even hearing loss). Try a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ear to loosen the wax up. Do not use a cotton swab to attempt to free the earwax, as cotton swabs can compact your earwax and make the problem worse. If the problem continues, come in and see us.
- Travel: The changing altitude associated with air travel can frequently cause a feeling of fullness in the ear, followed closely by muffled hearing. Your hearing will go back to normal relatively 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 usually permanent. Muffled hearing is frequently one of the first detectable symptoms; but by the time you detect the distorted sounds, damage to your stereocilia has probably already occurred. If you don’t seek out treatment quickly, your hearing will rapidly get worse.
- Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s Disease is a chronic balance and hearing issue. Dizziness, balance issues, tinnitus, and muffled ears will develop over time due to this disease. There’s no cure for Meniere’s Disease, but symptoms can be treated.
- Age-related hearing loss: Most people will experience diminishing hearing as they get older. After all, there are few senses as sharp when you are 80 as when you are 18. This normal decline in your ability to hear can cause muffled hearing over time.
- Infection: Sometimes, issues such as infections (such as sinus infections or ear infections) can cause inflammation in the ear canal (this is particularly true with ear infections). This will reduce your ability to hear by causing the ear canal to swell shut. Once the underlying infection clears, any swelling it caused should also clear.
Depending on the underlying cause, the exact symptoms of muffled hearing will vary.
Can muffled hearing be cured?
Some types of muffled hearing can’t be cured. The root cause of your muffled hearing will determine the treatment method. For example, if excess earwax buildup is the primary cause, we may use specific tools to help you clear out your ear canal. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed if your muffled hearing is being caused by an infection.
In terms of sensorineural hearing loss, the emphasis changes to symptom management rather than a complete cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. However, symptoms can be managed. There might be numerous strategies to this treatment including a pair of hearing aids.
With hearing aids, you can continue to enjoy your day-to-day activities without hearing loss impacting your quality of life.
How to avoid muffled hearing in the first place
Some forms of muffled hearing are hard to avoid, no matter what. For example, ear infections and sinus infections are difficult to reliably avoid.
Getting your hearing examined, however, can help detect 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.