Get Help for Muffled Hearing in St. Louis, MO & Beyond
At Mid America Audiology Group, we’re committed to helping our patients hear the world around them more clearly. Whether your hearing loss comes and goes or sticks with you permanently, it’s usually manageable with proper treatment. There’s no reason to hold off on scheduling an appointment with a hearing care professional to address your muffled hearing symptoms when we make it easy to get the care you deserve in St. Louis, MO and the surrounding areas.
Our hearing care providers will physically examine your ears and conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your muffled hearing and what can be done to improve it. Below, our team goes over what muffled hearing is, what causes it, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatment options are available for patients. We’re happy to answer further questions and provide additional information about our comprehensive hearing care services. Contact Mid America Audiology Group today to learn more.
What Is Muffled Hearing?
Hearing gets muffled when sound can’t travel through the outer, middle, and inner ear as efficiently as before. If it seems like the volume of your surroundings has been turned down, patients often describe this as muffled hearing. In addition to affecting your ability to hear others, it can also impair your speech. Some patients experience muffled hearing for days, while others might experience it for weeks or months.
Common Symptoms of Muffled Hearing
Patients with muffled hearing characterize it with a variety of symptoms, including:
- Difficulty hearing or deciphering certain sounds
- Hearing sounds that are unclear
- Pain in the ear similar to an ear infection
- Feels like a cotton ball is lodged in your ear
- Your ears feel full of fluid
- Discharge coming from one or both of your ears
- Hearing ringing in your ears
What Causes Muffled Hearing?
Many things can cause muffled hearing. Some cases are temporary and subside within a couple of weeks, while other cases of muffled hearing can be permanent, depending on the damage incurred.
- Temporary Muffled Hearing – Some of the most common causes of temporary muffled hearing include blockages in the middle ear (typically due to fluid buildup from a cold or ear infection), earwax buildup, noise-induced hearing loss, sudden changes in air pressure, and bacterial infections caused by water retention in the ears.
- Permanent Muffled Hearing – Sudden and permanent changes in hearing can be caused by sudden sensorineural hearing loss or, in rare cases, a benign growth on the auditory nerve. In addition, eardrum perforation that can’t heal and age-related hearing loss can cause permanent muffled hearing.
- Sudden Muffled Hearing in One Ear – Muffled hearing can occur in one or both ears. When your hearing is only muffled in one ear, it’s likely a sign of an ear infection, a clogged ear, or earwax buildup. Sinus infections or changes in pressure while flying typically cause muffled hearing in both ears. In some cases, muffled hearing in one ear can be a sign of hearing loss in one ear, which is why it’s always essential to consult with a hearing care provider about your symptoms.
How Is Muffled Hearing Diagnosed?
The best way to get relief for your muffled hearing is by visiting a hearing care professional for a comprehensive exam and accurate diagnosis. We’ll look inside your ears for signs of an infection and any blockages to accurately diagnose your hearing loss.
When Should I Worry About Muffled Hearing?
If your muffled hearing doesn’t improve after a few days, you need to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider who can conduct an exam and determine the best course of treatment.
How Is Muffled Hearing Treated?
Some cases of muffled hearing resolve independently with time, like those caused by altitude and air pressure changes. However, when an infection or other medical issue causes it, we advise seeking treatment from a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Get Help for Your Muffled Hearing Symptoms Today
If your hearing is muffled, there’s no reason to go another day wondering when you’ll get the relief you deserve. The hearing care providers at Mid America Audiology Group can take a look and determine which treatment options are most suitable for your condition. If your muffled hearing is age-related and permanent, you can rest assured we’ll stay by your side throughout your journey toward improved hearing and an enhanced quality of life. Our team has years of experience taking a comprehensive approach to hearing healthcare for our patients throughout St. Louis, MO and the surrounding areas, including Creve Coeur and St. Charles. Contact us today to learn more about the different types of hearing loss, or schedule an appointment online to get started.
