How to Treat a Temporary Hearing Loss in One Ear?

It can be a little frightening to wake up and find that you have lost the ability to hear out of one of your ears. However, while it’s normal to be a little concerned, it’s important to stay calm. In many cases, the hearing in your ear will return after a period of time, especially if you follow the recommended treatment methods. If the hearing loss continues, then you can discuss the issue with an audiologist, who will be able to identify the underlying cause and recommend a longer-term treatment plan. But that may not be necessary, especially if you have an idea of why the ability to hear has vanished in the first place (for example, you were exposed to a loud noise).

Rest your ears

If you’ve been subjected to a loud noise, and suspect that this is what is responsible for your hearing loss in one ear, then it’s important that you give your ears as much rest as possible. This may involve staying at home, and simply avoiding the world, unless you live in a rural area, which is a much quieter area than cosmopolitan cities. Society can be a noisy place, but so can our own lifestyle habits. For example, if you have hearing loss in one ear, then you’ll do well to avoid listening to music through headphones or watching television with the volume too loud. These are things that many people are guilty of anyway, yet they can cause damage to your ears – and can cause additional damage to an ear that already has an injury.

Clear your ears

The buildup of earwax is one of the more common reasons for hearing loss in one ear. If you don’t think that you’ve had an injury, and the hearing loss has been slowly building over a period of time, then it could be because of impacted earwax. Usually, earwax doesn’t require any treatment; even cotton swabs may not be necessary, since earwax tends to fall out on its own. But this doesn’t always happen. There are home solutions that will ease the symptoms. One of the most effective solutions is to add two or three drops of olive oil to your ear for a few days. Over the coming weeks, the earwax should migrate out of the canal. Remember to always consult your audiologist before trying any at-home remedy.

Rule out infection

Another common cause of hearing loss is infection. While an infection in your ear may not be serious, they can become serious if they’re not treated. If you suspect that you have an infection, or the other solutions listed on this page don’t help, then it’s important to visit your healthcare practitioner so that they can rule out an infection. In most cases, antibiotics will be required to move on from the problem. Once you’ve begun treatment for the infection, then you’ll find that your hearing slowly begins to return to pre-infection levels.

Hearing aid fittings

If your hearing loss is going on for longer than expected, then you may consider having a hearing aid fitted. There are many different options available, including in-the-ear, in-the-canal and behind-the-ear options. If you’re not sure where to start, then be sure to speak with an audiologist – they’ll have the experience needed to guide you in the right direction. You may find that your hearing loss is caused ageing or by exposure to loud noises, especially if you’ve been working with them for a long time. A hearing aid can significantly improve the quality of your hearing, and also your quality of life. The audiologist will work closely with you to determine what technology will be the most beneficial to your specific needs, whether you want something discreet and small or something larger and easier to handle. Hearing aids are used to treat progressive loss that doesn’t clear up with other solutions, and while they are unable to restore loss, they do help prevent further atrophy. If you need to consult with an audiologist, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services. We have experience in helping people with a number of matters, including hearing loss and tinnitus. You can get in touch with us by calling our reception on 623-583-1737. We also have a handy form you can fill out online on our ‘contact us’ page. Simply fill it out, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.