About Temporary Hearing Loss
Temporary hearing loss can be attributed to exposure
to loud sounds, ear wax buildup, or an ear infection.
The most
common cause of temporary hearing loss is exposure to loud sounds.
Over 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous sound levels
on a regular basis. Of the 28 million Americans who have some degree
of hearing loss, about one-third have been affected, at least in part,
by noise.
Exposure to harmful sounds (i.e., sounds that are too
loud or loud sounds over a long time) can cause damage to the
inner ear. This is known as Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
This kind of hearing loss may be accompanied by tinnitus, a ringing
of the ears, which may diminish and be completely gone over time.
However, if exposure is continuous and left untreated, the hearing
loss may become permanent and untreatable. If you are in a loud environment
and you cannot hear loud speech 3 feet away, you can probably
assume that your ears are being exposed to a dangerous noise
level.
Temporary
hearing loss can be the easiest to remedy and prevent. Treatments
include:
- avoiding
loud noises;
- wearing ear plugs or other hearing protective devices when
involved in a loud activity;
- for infections and wax buildup, regularly cleaning your ears
by rinsing them with water and applying eardrops; and
- consulting with your doctor
when you suspect an ear infection.
Types of hearing loss
