Temporary Hearing Loss

Hearing ability is one of the important senses that the human being has. We can communicate with others, listen to songs and watch movies using this ability. However, some people lose this auditory ability due to certain reasons, which is known as hearing loss. Hearing loss may be temporary or permanent. Temporary hearing loss may result from ear infection, earwax build up or an exposure to loud sounds. Usually, temporary hearing loss is reversible after proper treatment.

Causes of Temporary Hearing Loss

There are various reasons for a temporary loss of hearing ability. Some of the common causes of temporary hearing loss are:

• An exposure to loud sounds is one of the most common causes of temporary hearing loss. It is also known as noise-induced hearing loss. Due to constant exposure to the loud sounds, the sensitive structures in the inner ear get damaged, which results in hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is accompanied by tinnitus, ringing of the ears. If the exposure is continuous and if left untreated, the hearing loss may be untreatable and permanent. If you are exposed to loud environment and you are not able to hear loud speech around 3 feet away, then you can assume that your ears are exposed to dangerous noise levels.
• If there is an ear blockage due to accumulation of earwax, then it can give rise to temporary hearing loss.
• Infections in the middle ear can also cause temporary hearing loss. There may be sudden tear or rupture in the eardrum, which may result in perforation. It may be accompanied by pain and bloody drainage out of the ear. This condition is known as otitis media with perforation.
• Temporary hearing loss may result from damage to the sensory structures (hair cells) of the inner ear, auditory nerve pathway or auditory nerve present in the brain. These sensory structures may get damaged by infections, drugs, skull injuries and tumors.
• Intake of otoxic medicines such as ibuprofen or aspirin for a long period can give rise to temporary hearing loss. This condition cures when you stop taking these drugs.
• Some autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodosa and rheumatoid arthritis are also responsible for temporary hearing loss.

How to Treat and Prevent Temporary Hearing Loss?

Temporary hearing loss can be easily treated and reversed. As exposure to loud sound is the main cause of temporary hearing loss, avoid the exposure to loud sounds as much as possible. If you are in the loud environment, protect your ears by wearing the earplugs or other auditory protective devices. Make friends, family and colleagues aware of the hazards of loud sounds. If temporary hearing loss is due to the accumulation of earwax, then you can get it removed from the doctor. The doctor removes the earwax using some solutions or a machine. Regular cleaning of the ears is necessary in order to prevent the accumulation of earwax.

If there is any kind of ear injury, you may have to undergo a surgery. It will help regain your hearing ability. If there are some ear infections, they can be treated with the anti-bacterial solutions and antibiotics. If temporary hearing loss is due to the autoimmune disorder, then it can be treated with corticosteroid under physician supervision. As soon as you are diagnosed for the temporary hearing loss, you should immediately consult the physician and get appropriate treatment in order to prevent further damage to the ears. For every reason of hearing loss, the doctor prescribes different treatments. Temporary hearing loss can also be treated by using a hearing aid.