Nearly everyone has experienced the uncomfortable feeling of muffled hearing, almost as if you’re underwater or listening through a thick wall.
Muffled hearing arises when something blocks the normal path of sound waves through the ears. Let’s take a look at four common causes of muffled hearing and how you can manage them.
Earwax Impaction
Impacted earwax results from an overproduction of wax or external factors like frequent cotton swab or in-ear headphone use. The earwax clogs the ear canal, preventing sound from passing through effectively.
To help prevent earwax impaction, avoid using cotton swabs to clean your ears as these can lead to greater blockages and may even damage the ear canal or eardrum. You may also want to switch to over-the-ear headphones if you develop frequent blockages.
In the event of earwax impaction, don’t attempt to remove earwax at home. Schedule an appointment with one of our specialists for safe removal.
Middle Ear Infection
A middle ear infection is an infection of the space behind the eardrum. During the infection, fluid can build up and muffle hearing.
While you may not be able to prevent all ear infections, there are a few ways you can safeguard against them:
- Practice good hygiene (washing hands, not sharing food, etc.)
- Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
- Get vaccinated against preventable illnesses (yearly flu, measles, etc.)
- Breastfeed infants to lower their chance of infection
- Hold babies upright during bottle feeding
While most ear infections clear on their own, you should make an appointment with your ENT specialist for long-lasting or severe cases.
Pressure Changes
Quickly changing altitudes can cause an imbalance in the pressure between your middle ear and the environment, a condition called airplane ear or ear barotrauma. Common symptoms include muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness in the ear and discomfort or pain.
As the name suggests, airplane ear is most common on flights, but you may also experience it while scuba diving or mountain driving.
Next time you’re flying out of Worcester or about to head into the mountains, consider a few of these tips to clear airplane ear and unmuffle your hearing:
- Yawn and swallow frequently when changing altitudes (such as during take-off or landing)
- Chew gum during altitude changes
- Gently blow air through your nose while pinching the nostrils closed and closing the mouth (a technique called the Valsalva maneuver)
- Try filtered earplugs designed to regulate ear pressure during flights
Inner Ear Damage
While many cases of muffled hearing have a temporary cause, others are permanent, like those caused by inner ear damage. Often related to noise exposure or aging, inner ear damage is the most common cause of permanent hearing loss. If your hearing loss is permanent, your specialist may recommend hearing aids to help amplify important speech and background noise.
To get to the bottom of your muffled hearing, contact ENT Associates of Worcester today for an evaluation and treatment appointment with one of our specialists.