Sure, pregnancy is amazing and incredible. But in terms of how it can make you feel, it can be pretty uncomfortable, at least sometimes. There are all kinds of peculiar side effects, like morning sickness, health hazards, and changes to your body. None of this takes away from the happiness of being a parent… but it’s a whole undertaking to get there.
And now we can add hearing loss to that list of disadvantages.
Most people don’t immediately connect hearing loss with pregnancy. But pregnancy-induced hearing loss is actually more common than most individuals might think. This means that these symptoms are worth watching out for. In some cases, the cause of pregnancy-associated hearing loss is harmless and banal. In other cases, the cause is a serious issue and may call for immediate medical treatment. Is hearing loss during pregnancy permanent? Well, it could be, depending on how rapidly you address it and what the root cause is.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy-induced hearing loss?
Hearing loss during pregnancy doesn’t appear on many sitcoms or in many romantic comedies. It’s not nearly as cinematic as things like morning sickness. This means that, generally, people might be less likely to anticipate pregnancy-related hearing loss. So, it might be helpful to know what to look out for.
After all, the symptoms of pregnancy-related hearing loss are about more than turning the volume up on your television. Here are a few of the most common:
- Headaches and migraines: Regular headaches and migraines can also be more consistent.
- Everything seems quieter: Certainly, this is likely the most obvious sign of hearing loss. But if it happens abruptly, it’s something called “sudden sensorineural hearing loss”. You need to report any sudden hearing loss during pregnancy to your provider as soon as possible. In order to stop sudden hearing loss from becoming permanent, you might need emergency treatment.
- Tinnitus: A ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus, is often associated with pregnancy-induced hearing loss. In some situations, this tinnitus may even sound like or take on the rhythm of your own heartbeat (this is known as pulsatile tinnitus). You should consult your physician about your tinnitus, whether hearing loss is also present or not.
- Dizziness and imbalance: The inner ear can be impacted by pregnancy-induced hearing loss, or in some cases a pre-existing issue with the inner ear can be the source of that hearing loss. Your hearing loss might be accompanied by dizziness and balance issues if you have an issue with your inner ear. And that also goes for pregnancy-induced hearing loss.
- You feel a fullness in your ears: Pregnancy-related hearing loss could in some cases be accompanied by a feeling of stuffiness or fullness in your ears.
These aren’t universal symptoms. Depending on the underlying cause of your pregnancy-related hearing loss, you might experience some symptoms but not others. In any case, if you experience hearing loss or any of the related symptoms while you are pregnant, it’s generally a good idea to talk to your doctor. That’s because these symptoms can sometimes be an indication of some rare but larger problems.
The causes of pregnancy-induced hearing loss
Does being pregnant impact hearing? Well, perhaps, in some cases. But other parts of your body are affected by pregnancy and those parts of your body can then affect your hearing.
So, what are the likely causes of pregnancy-related hearing loss? Here are several of the most common causes:
- Hormone and circulatory changes: Your body is doing an exceptional amount of work when you become pregnant. As a result, all sorts of changes are happening, both with respect to your hormones and your circulatory system.
- Some of the typical things: If you develop an ear infection, a sinus infection, or any kind of obstruction in your ear (like earwax), this can cause hearing loss whether you’re pregnant or not.
- Bone growth: The ability for sound to pass through your ears can be obstructed by a disorder called otosclerosis which causes the tiny bones in your ear to grow too fast. In pregnant women, this faster bone growth might be caused by changes in your hormones or other changes in your body. It should be mentioned that research into otosclerosis during pregnancy, and just how much it affects hearing, is ongoing.
- High blood pressure: Hearing loss and tinnitus can be the outcome of high blood pressure which can be brought about by pregnancy. So telling your doctor about your hearing loss symptoms is really important. High blood pressure can be a symptom of preeclampsia and other serious conditions. These are issues that should be tracked carefully throughout your pregnancy.
- An iron deficiency: An iron deficiency while you’re pregnant can have a wide variety of consequences for your health and your child’s health. Hearing loss can sometimes be one of those effects for the pregnant woman.
In some cases, the cause of your hearing loss just won’t be all that well understood. The important thing will be to keep an eye on your symptoms and be in frequent communication with your doctor.
How do you treat this kind of hearing loss?
Treatment of this kind of hearing loss will usually depend on the underlying cause. Will my hearing go back to normal? This is the most prevalent question people will have. In most instances, yes, your hearing will return to normal once you’re no longer pregnant, or maybe even before.
But it’s also important to get treatment for any symptoms you notice because getting your hearing back isn’t always certain. You might require additional treatment if bone growth is blocking your ear canal, for instance. Likewise, if you suffer from abrupt sensorineural hearing loss, the outcome will depend on how rapidly you receive treatment.
That’s why it’s so essential to make sure you report these symptoms to your doctor. The next step will probably be a thorough hearing evaluation to eliminate any more severe conditions and try to diagnose the inherent cause.
Protect your hearing
Safeguarding your hearing is something you need to watch out for especially when you’re pregnant. Getting regular evaluations with us is one of the best ways to do that. Schedule a hearing examination with us as soon as possible.
