How To Tell If Hearing Loss Is Permanent Or Temporary

12-06-2023

How to tell if your hearing loss is permanent or temporary? Your hearing health specialist determines whether is hearing loss permanent or temporary based on the possibility of recovery. Temporary hearing loss is reversible with appropriate medication and surgery. Contrarily, permanent hearing loss is irreversible but can be managed by hearing aids.

Oliveira Audiology & Hearing Center delves into the details of temporary and permanent hearing loss. Discover how to tell if hearing loss is permanent or temporary.

person having hearing issues concept with frequency graph

Temporary Hearing Loss

Temporary hearing loss is a brief or short-term situation whereby you cannot hear properly. How long does temporary hearing loss last? Temporary hearing loss can last for a few days or weeks. The good thing is that audiologists can reverse it with different treatment options.

What Causes Temporary Hearing Loss?

There are many causes of temporary hearing loss. For one, this health issue can be a result of an infection in the middle or outer ear. The mentioned infections cause inflammation and accumulation of pus within the ear, causing a brief loss of hearing ability.

Other common causes of temporary hearing loss include:

Blocked ear canal
Head trauma
Accumulated ear wax
Acoustic trauma
Certain medications

What Are the Symptoms of Temporary Hearing Loss?

In the event of temporary hearing loss, sounds may appear faint or distant. As a result, the patient might find themselves asking others to repeat what they’ve said or increase the volume of electronic devices.

Moreover, people with temporary hearing loss may find challenges engaging in conversations. Other common symptoms of temporary hearing loss include:

Ringing or buzzing in the ears
The feeling of ear fullness
Discomfort in the affected ear
Muffled sound
Drainage from the affected ear

How Long Does Temporary Hearing Loss Last?

How long does temporary hearing loss last? On average, intermittent hearing loss can last for a few hours or days. All in all, with proper treatment, you can regain your hearing ability.

Permanent Hearing Loss

Permanent hearing loss is a condition in which individuals have an irreversible ability to hear sounds. Is hearing loss permanent? Audiologists cannot treat this type of hearing loss with treatment. Instead, patients have to use hearing support devices.

What Causes Permanent Hearing Loss?

There are many causes of permanent hearing loss. One such cause is structural malformations, including obstructed or malformed ear canals. Permanent hearing loss can also result from the following factors:

Health conditions like Meniere’s disease
Ear poisoning from certain chemicals
Extended exposure to loud noises
Genetics
Trauma on the head or ear

What are the Symptoms of Permanent Hearing Loss?

Permanent hearing loss reduces your ability to hear sounds with ease. For this reason, you might face difficulties hearing what other people say. Permanent hearing loss lasts a lifetime.

This is why patients with this condition may have challenges with dialogue. Moreover, people with permanent hearing loss present with the following symptoms.

Staying clear of social settings
Ringing in the ears
Muffling of speech
Trouble hearing the letters of the alphabet
Asking people to speak loud or slowly

When to See a Doctor About Hearing Loss?

You should seek medication immediately if you experience sudden or severe hearing loss. The prompt medical attention will help doctors check if you have an ear infection or permanent hearing loss. Afterward, an audiologist will help treat underlying concern before it escalates.

Additionally, you should seek medical attention when you have an ear infection. Can an ear infection cause permanent hearing loss? If not treated promptly, an infection can cause irreversible damage. This is why you should seek treatment in Laredo, TX, from the experts at Oliveira Audiology & Hearing Center quickly.

Take Control of Your Hearing Health: Schedule a Hearing Test Today

You don’t have to wait until hearing loss becomes evident to take action. Rather, you should schedule a routine hearing test to help identify and treat potential issues before they worsen. Oliveira Audiology & Hearing Center is your trusted partner for hearing health in Laredo.

We are a team of qualified audiologists with the experience to diagnose and treat a wide range of hearing issues. From simple issues like loss of hearing after a cold to complex ones like permanent hearing loss, we manage every condition.

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