Of course, pregnancy is amazing and wonderful. But it can also be kind of… uncomfortable, at least at times, and at least in terms of how it can make you feel. There’s the morning sickness, the difference in your body, the health hazards, and all kinds of strange 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 possible small drawback to add to the list: hearing loss.
Most individuals don’t instantly associate hearing loss with pregnancy. But pregnancy-associated hearing loss is actually more common than most people may presume. This means that these symptoms are worth keeping on your radar. In some cases, the cause of pregnancy-induced hearing loss is harmless and banal. Sadly, sometimes the cause is a more serious issue that could require swift medical treatment. Is hearing loss during pregnancy irreversible? Well, the answer sort of depends on the underlying cause, and how quickly you address it.
Pregnancy-related hearing loss symptoms
You typically won’t hear about pregnancy-induced hearing loss in pop-culture. It isn’t nearly as cinematic as things like morning sickness. People typically don’t expect pregnancy-related hearing loss, because of this. 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. The most prevalent symptoms include the following:
- You feel plugged in your ears: Pregnancy-related hearing loss could in some cases be accompanied by a feeling of being plugged or fullness in your ears.
- Headaches and migraines: Regular headaches and migraines can also be more consistent.
- Everything seems quieter: Certainly, this is likely the most evident indication of hearing loss. But a condition called “sudden sensorineural hearing loss” comes on abruptly and can be more obvious. You should convey any sudden hearing loss during pregnancy to your provider as soon as possible. In order to prevent sudden hearing loss from becoming permanent, you may need emergency treatment.
- Tinnitus: A ringing in your ears, called tinnitus, is frequently linked to pregnancy-related hearing loss. In some cases, 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-related hearing loss, or in some cases 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 problems if you have an issue with your inner ear. Pregnancy-related hearing loss isn’t an exception.
These aren’t universal symptoms. Depending on the root cause of your pregnancy-induced 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 usually a good idea to talk to your doctor. That’s because these symptoms can sometimes be a sign of some rare but larger problems.
What causes pregnancy-related hearing loss?
Is hearing affected by pregnancy? Well, possibly, in some cases. But being pregnant may also affect other parts of your body that will then go on to affect your hearing.
So, what are the possible causes of pregnancy-induced hearing loss? Here are several of the most prevalent causes:
- Some of the typical things: Whether you’re pregnant or not, common things like obstructions, sinus infections, and ear infections can trigger hearing loss.
- An iron deficiency: Your health, and the health of your baby, can both be affected in lots of ways by an iron deficiency. One of those impacts can in some cases be hearing loss in the person who is pregnant.
- Bone growth: There’s a rare affliction known as otosclerosis in which the tiny bones in your ear begin growing more rapidly, and this accelerated growth blocks the ability of sound to pass through your ears. Pregnancy induces hormonal changes and other body changes that can lead to this type of bone growth. It should be mentioned that research into otosclerosis during pregnancy, and exactly how much it affects hearing, is ongoing.
- High blood pressure: When you’re pregnant, high blood pressure can trigger tinnitus and hearing loss. So telling your physician about your hearing loss symptoms is very important. High blood pressure can be a symptom of preeclampsia and other serious ailments. Throughout pregnancy, these problems should be monitored.
- Hormone and circulatory changes: Your body is doing an exceptional amount of work when you get pregnant. As a result, all kinds of changes are happening, both in terms of your hormones and your circulatory system.
In some situations, the cause of your hearing loss just won’t be all that well understood. Routinely talking to your doctor and keeping an eye on your symptoms is the key here.
How is this form of hearing loss treated?
Treatment of this form of hearing loss will likely depend on the root cause. The question that many people have is: will my hearing loss clear up? Once your pregnancy is over, your hearing should go back to normal, or possibly even sooner.
However, this is not always the default, so it’s important to be proactive when you detect symptoms. For instance, if bone growth is obstructing your ear canal, you could require additional treatment. The results will also depend on how fast you get treatment in the case of abrupt sensorineural hearing loss.
For this reason, reporting any symptoms to your doctor is so important. The next step will most likely be a complete hearing evaluation to rule out any more serious conditions and try to diagnose the inherent cause.
Protect your hearing
Even when you’re pregnant, while you’re juggling so many other things, it’s important to be sure you pay attention to and protect your hearing. Getting regular evaluations with us is one of the best ways to do that. Give us a call today to schedule a hearing evaluation.
