Of course, pregnancy is awesome and wonderful. But in terms of how it can make you feel, it can be rather uncomfortable, at least sometimes. There’s the morning sickness, the difference in your body, the health hazards, and all kinds of weird side effects. Getting there can be somewhat of a process, but that doesn’t detract from the joy of being a parent.
And now there’s another potential little disadvantage to add to the list: hearing loss.
Most individuals don’t instantly associate hearing loss with pregnancy. So it might be surprising to learn that pregnancy-related hearing loss is fairly prevalent. It’s not a bad idea to watch out for these symptoms. In some cases, the cause of pregnancy-associated hearing loss is harmless and insignificant. In other cases, the cause is a serious concern and could call for immediate medical attention. Will pregnancy-related hearing loss subside? Well, it could be, depending on how quickly you treat it and what the underlying cause is.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy-related hearing loss?
Hearing loss during pregnancy doesn’t show up on a lot of sitcoms or in very many romantic comedies. It’s not nearly as cinematic as things like morning sickness. This means that, generally speaking, people may be less likely to expect pregnancy-related hearing loss. So, it may be helpful to know what to watch out for.
After all, the symptoms of pregnancy-related hearing loss go beyond cranking up the volume on your television. The most prevalent symptoms include the following:
- Headaches and migraines: You might also have an increase in the number of headaches or migraines you have on a regular basis.
- Everything seems quieter: Of course, this indication of hearing loss is the most obvious. But if it comes on suddenly, it’s something called “sudden sensorineural hearing loss”. Any type of sudden hearing loss during pregnancy should be conveyed to your healthcare team as soon as possible. In order to prevent sudden hearing loss from becoming permanent, you might require emergency treatment.
- You feel a fullness in your ears: Pregnancy-related hearing loss could in some cases be accompanied by a feeling of being plugged or fullness in your ears.
- Tinnitus: A ringing in your ears, called tinnitus, is often linked to pregnancy-related hearing loss. The rhythm and sound of your tinnitus symptoms can, in some circumstances, sound like your own heartbeat which is called “pulsatile tinnitus”. Whether this tinnitus exists on its own or with hearing loss, it’s worth talking to your doctor about what you’re feeling.
- Dizziness and imbalance: The inner ear can be impacted by pregnancy-induced hearing loss, or sometimes a pre-existing problem 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 applies to pregnancy-induced hearing loss.
None of these symptoms are inevitably universal. You will probably experience some symptoms and not others depending on the root cause of your pregnancy-induced hearing loss. Either way, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor if experience any of these hearing loss symptoms. Because these symptoms could be an indication of a more serious issue.
The causes of pregnancy-related hearing loss
Is hearing impacted by pregnancy? Well, possibly, in some cases. But being pregnant might also affect other parts of your body that will then go on to affect your hearing.
So how can pregnancy-induced hearing loss possibly be caused? Here are some of the most common causes:
- High blood pressure: While you’re pregnant, high blood pressure can cause tinnitus and hearing loss. So telling your physician about your hearing loss symptoms is really important. High blood pressure can be a symptom of preeclampsia and other severe conditions. Throughout pregnancy, these problems should be monitored.
- Some of the typical things: If you get an ear infection, a sinus infection, or any kind of blockage in your ear (like earwax), this can trigger hearing loss whether you’re pregnant or not.
- Hormone and circulatory changes: Your body is performing an extraordinary amount of work when you get pregnant. Your hormones and circulatory system are going through lots of changes, as an outcome.
- Bone growth: There’s a rare affliction called otosclerosis where the tiny bones in your ear start growing more quickly, and this accelerated growth blocks the ability of sound to pass through your ears. Pregnancy induces hormonal changes and other body changes that can cause this type of bone growth. Otoscerlosis research is still a continuing process, and scientists are still figuring out just how much it impacts hearing.
- An iron deficiency: An iron deficiency while you’re pregnant can have a wide variety of consequences for your health and your baby’s health. Hearing loss can sometimes be one of those effects for the pregnant woman.
In some instances, the cause of your hearing loss simply won’t be all that well comprehended. The essential thing will be to keep an eye on your symptoms and be in regular communication with your provider.
How is this form of hearing loss managed?
The root cause of this kind of hearing loss will largely determine the course of treatment. Will my hearing go back to normal? This is the most prevalent question individuals will have. In most instances, yes, your hearing will return to normal once you’re no longer pregnant, or possibly even before.
However, this isn’t always the default, so it’s important to be proactive when you observe symptoms. For instance, if bone growth is blocking your ear canal, you may require additional treatment. Similarly, if you suffer from abrupt sensorineural hearing loss, the outcome will depend on how fast you receive treatment.
That’s why it’s so important to be sure you report these symptoms to your provider. You may then go through a complete hearing screening or evaluation to help get to the bottom of your symptoms (or at least eliminate any of the more severe possible impacts).
Protect your hearing
Protecting your hearing is something you should pay attention to especially when you’re pregnant. Getting regular evaluations with us is one of the best ways to do that. Give us a call today to set up a hearing evaluation.
