Your Trusted, Independent Hearing Service — Est. 2009
At Interhearing, we are regularly contacted by patients who are concerned about hearing loss in one ear. Single sided hearing loss (also known as “unilateral hearing loss”) can have a number of possible causes and can often be treated quickly and effectively following a diagnosis.
Possible causes of hearing loss in one ear
The feeling of being “deaf in one ear” is not uncommon and can affect all ages and genders. There are a number of reasons why you might experience hearing loss on one side, the most frequent causes are excessive ear wax build-up and ear infections.
Earwax build-up: A common and temporary cause of hearing loss can occur when earwax blocks the ear canal and prevents sound waves from reaching the eardrum - this can occur in one or both ears.
Ear infections: An ear infection can cause inflammation and swelling in the ear canal, which can also block sound waves from reaching the eardrum.
If you are experiencing hearing loss in one or both ears, it is important to see a medical professional such as a GP or Audiologist to determine the cause. Treatment could be as simple as the need for ear wax removal or if the ear is infected, a course of antibiotics. Early diagnosis of hearing loss and treatment can help relieve symptoms and prevent further hearing loss.
Feeling deaf in one ear can be frustrating and in many cases the hearing loss develops over time (especially if it is due to a build-up of earwax). However, occasionally, hearing loss is more sudden and happens very quickly, maybe over a few hours or days, which could be caused by less common factors, which should be investigated as soon as possible. Some causes of sudden hearing loss include viral infections, exposure to loud noise,genetic conditions or as a result of a** head injury**.
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can also cause hearing loss in one or both ears and may also include symptoms of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo (a spinning sensation) and nausea or vomiting. If you think that you or a loved one might have Meniere's disease, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and to discuss treatment options. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent further hearing loss and improve quality of life.
Signs and symptoms of hearing loss in one ear
Hearing loss in one ear can come on suddenly or build up gradually. Some of the signs of single-sided hearing loss (sometimes described by patients as a feeling of being “deaf on one side”) are:
Muffled hearing: Sounds might seem dull or dampened, especially in the affected ear.
Difficulty understanding conversations: You might struggle to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments or when multiple people are talking.
Having to ask people to repeat themselves: You might find that you are frequently asking people to rephrase or speak louder because you miss parts of conversations. It may seem that people are “mumbling”.
**Problems with sound localisation: **When experiencing hearing loss in one ear, it can be difficult to determine the direction sounds are coming from, making it challenging to follow conversations or identify sources of noise.
Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing noises in the affected ear can accompany hearing loss.
Some people with single-sided deafness also report one or all of the following symptoms:
Feeling tired or stressed: The extra effort required to process sound can be draining when we have to concentrate hard to hear.
Favouring one ear over the other: You might subconsciously tilt your head or position yourself to favour your “good” ear during conversations.
**Withdrawing from social situations: **Difficulty hearing can lead to social isolation as conversations become frustrating or we feel conscious of regularly having to ask others to repeat themselves. Avoiding situations we find frustrating can be an important sign that it is time to speak to an Audiologist or GP about our hearing health.
It's important to note that symptoms can vary depending on the severity and cause of your hearing loss, so it is always a good idea to see a professional sooner rather than later. Knowledge is power and can enable you to find the best options for diagnosis, treatment and support as soon as possible.
Strategies to help with one-sided hearing loss
One-sided hearing loss, also known as unilateral hearing loss or single-sided deafness (SSD), can be frustrating because it affects how you perceive sound. Even if your hearing loss in one ear is temporary, you can still use these strategies to help when you can’t hear on one side:
**Positioning: **When in conversation, turn your “good” ear towards the speaker.
**Alerting others: **Let people know about your hearing loss - a simple explanation can help friends, family and work colleagues understand why you might ask them to repeat themselves or speak louder. This also helps to avoid misunderstandings and frustration that may come from mis-communication.
Watch for visual cues: Pay attention to facial expressions and body language to supplement what you hear. You may even find that watching a person’s mouth as they talk really helps with understanding conversations.
Reduce background noise: Background noise can be particularly challenging when you are experiencing hearing loss in one ear (or both). If possible, choose quieter environments for conversations.
Hearing technology: If your hearing loss is not related to short term issues such as earwax or infection, the use of hearing aid technology and assistive devices can make a huge difference and really improve your quality of life.
Hearing Aids: While not all hearing aids are suitable for one-sided loss, there are options that could really help. Arranging an appointment with an Audiologist means that you can explore possibilities like CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signal) systems that transmit sound from the deaf ear to the good ear.
**Assistive Listening Devices: **New technology means that there are many ways to help those with hearing loss, such as amplified phones and devices which link to your TV or mobile phone.
Taking Care of Yourself
Don't be afraid to speak up if you're struggling to hear. Making an appointment to see your GP or an Audiologist is a great place to start. Talking about your hearing loss with friends and family and connecting with others who have similar experiences can also be really helpful and remind you that you are not alone.
Summary
If you feel like you are losing your hearing in one ear, it’s important to find out what is causing your hearing loss. The most common reasons for one-sided hearing loss are earwax build-up and ear infections. Less common reasons for unilateral hearing loss are disease, physical injury or genetic conditions.
Symptoms of hearing loss might include muffled hearing, having to ask people to repeat themselves, struggling to hear in noisy environments or tinnitus (a buzzing or ringing in the ears). We may also feel extra tired, frustrated or stressed because of the additional effort we put into listening when we have a hearing loss and we may start to withdraw from social situations.
Visiting your GP or an Audiologist is the first step to finding out more about your hearing loss and getting the guidance and help that you need. It may be that a simple earwax removal treatment is all that is necessary, but it is helpful to find out as soon as possible because your hearing health really matters.
