How to Handle Sudden, Temporary Hearing Loss
Anyone can suffer from temporary hearing loss. It can happen at any time and for any number of reasons. Most people experience it after being exposed to loud noises or have a cold. Usually, the temporary hearing loss goes away within a day or two, but if it doesn’t, you should seek professional help.
If the sudden hearing loss is in one ear, seek help immediately!
If you suddenly have hearing loss in only one ear, you must see your hearing care specialist or physician as soon as possible. This could be a sudden single-sided deafness, which requires immediate treatment before it becomes permanent. No one should try to treat this at home.
Treating Temporary Hearing Loss at Home
There are many reasons why someone has a sudden, temporary hearing loss. They could be exposed to loud noises like at a rock concert, certain medications, or blocked ear canals from too much ear wax.
Loud Noises Causing Temporary Hearing Loss
If you were exposed to loud sounds, such as at a concert or a shooting range then you must rest your ears as much as possible and avoid more loud noise. While temporary hearing loss from loud sounds will usually recover in the short-term, you may have caused permanent hearing damage, even if it isn’t evident immediately. If your hearing doesn’t get better in a couple of days, see a doctor for an examination. And make sure in the future you protect your hearing by wearing earplugs.
Blocked Ear Canals Causing Temporary Hearing Loss
If a blocked ear canal is causing your hearing loss, then your hearing should return to normal once the blockage is cleared. Different types of blockage include:
Earwax – A moderate amount of earwax is essential for keeping dust and small particles out of the ear canal, but excessive earwax can become impacted and then a professional will need to remove it.
Ear infection – Most ear infections will clear on their own over time, but if you are experiencing pain or have discharge coming from your ear.
Swimmer’s ear – This is an outer ear infection that is caused by swimming and water not clearing from your ears. This can also be caused by a scratch in your ear canal caused by cotton swabs. Once this is treated by a medical professional, then it usually clears up.
Determining the Cause of Your Temporary Hearing Loss
Some temporary hearing loss is apparent, such as if you’ve just been to a concert or you went swimming. If you aren’t sure what caused your temporary hearing loss, then it is vital to have a full hearing exam by a hearing care professional.
If your sudden hearing loss doesn’t go away within a day or two, then contact Sound Hearing Care to have your ears examined. Contact us at 864-881-1663 and schedule an appointment at any of our four convenient locations at Simpsonville, Greer, Travelers Rest, and Greenville.
Sudden, temporary hearing loss can be very uncomfortable. Contact Sound Hearing Care at 864-881-1663 for a hearing evaluation.
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