What is Temporary Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can occur as a result of several different reasons. If you find that you can’t hear as well as normal, or your hearing deteriorates suddenly, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment with a hearing health professional. While many cases of hearing loss are gradual and associated with aging, it is also possible to experience temporary hearing loss. In this guide, we’ll discuss the most common causes and symptoms of temporary hearing loss. 

What is temporary hearing loss?

Temporary hearing loss can occur suddenly and it can range from mild to severe. In some cases, people will experience minor deterioration in their hearing, while in others, they won’t be able to hear at all. Unlike gradual hearing loss, temporary hearing loss is usually linked to an underlying cause, often treatable. If you experience a sudden loss of hearing or you’re finding it difficult to hear clearly, it’s best to seek advice from a hearing specialist. 

What causes temporary hearing loss?

There are several possible causes of temporary hearing loss. When you see a hearing care provider, they will try to ascertain the cause and identify practical solutions. Common causes include:

• Middle ear infection: middle ear infections can affect children and adults and they tend to develop when you have a heavy cold. In many cases, only one ear is affected, and you may find that your hearing is much better in the other ear. Ear infections can cause a build-up of fluid within the ear. If the pressure builds significantly, there is a risk of the eardrum perforating. There are treatment options available to treat ear infections, and once the infection has subsided, you should find that your hearing improves.
• Exposure to very loud noises: have you ever been to a concert or a shooting range and found that you struggle to hear properly afterwards? Exposure to very loud noises, such as gunshots and music at festivals and concerts, can cause temporary hearing loss due to damage to the sensitive hairs found inside the ears. Loud noises can also cause tinnitus, which makes it more difficult to hear. 
• Impacted earwax: the body produces earwax to protect the delicate internal structures of the ears. Using an intelligent, self-cleaning system, your body usually removes excess wax. In some cases, however, the wax can collect and harden. This is known as impacted earwax. If one or both of your ears are blocked, you may not be able to hear. If you have symptoms of hearing loss caused by impacted earwax, a hearing health professional will be able to carry out a simple procedure to remove the wax safely. It’s important to avoid trying to remove wax yourself using foreign objects, such as cotton swabs. This is because there is a risk of pushing the wax further down the ear canal. 

Temporary hearing loss is often linked to underlying causes, which can be treated by a hearing health professional. Examples of causes of temporary hearing loss include ear infections, exposure to very loud noises and a build-up of earwax. If you experience a sudden loss of hearing, or your hearing isn’t as good as usual, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a hearing specialist.