As we grow older, our hearing naturally declines gradually. Our bodies become weaker as we age, so it’s totally normal that our hearing is a part of that process.
Unexplained hearing loss, however, is a totally different experience. Some adults experience hearing loss out of the blue, with no seemingly obvious causes such as an accident or an illness.
In this post, we will explore what unexplained hearing loss could mean, and how to get to the bottom of what has caused this change in your body.
Why do I have unexplained hearing loss? Let’s look at three reasons this could be happening.
Remember, the bottom line is that you should see a doctor right away if you lose your hearing without explanation.
1. A bacterial infection.
Ear infections are relatively common – almost everyone has experienced one in their lifetime, especially as children. Usually these are sorted with very few problems. However, a bacterial infection in your inner ear could actually cause hearing loss in severe instances.
Some other symptoms of a bacterial ear infection include:
- A high fever.
- Nausea.
- Dizziness.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Discharge or smell from the ear.
A bacterial ear infection can put pressure on your eardrum, essentially stopping it from vibrating at its normal rate, which is how you hear sounds on a day to day basis. Make sure you see a doctor if you think you have a bacterial ear infection.
2. Cognitive issues.
Our cognitive abilities lessen as we get older, and as we mentioned in the introduction, this is a natural process that is nothing to be afraid of.
Nevertheless, if you have hearing loss with no seeming cause, such as an infection or accident, then it could be that you have a more serious cognitive issue going on. This is rare – so don’t panic! – but it is still worth considering if you haven’t found any other explanations.
The link between hearing loss & cognitive decline is still being studied, and there’s new information about this link all the time. Ultimately, though, cognitive issues can cause hearing loss, and hearing loss can also cause cognitive issues in some cases. It is worth visiting a neurological specialist if you have unexplained hearing loss that can’t be diagnosed by your regular doctor.
3. Tinnitus-related problems
Tinnitus is a common affliction that gives a person a ringing or buzzing sound in their ears, all the time. It can be very frustrating if you have tinnitus, as it can affect how you sleep, and can make it extremely difficult to concentrate on everyday things.
Tinnitus can also cause hearing loss, or rather, the cause of tinnitus can also cause hearing loss. Meniere’s disease, ear infections, impact or excessive noise can all cause tinnitus and hearing loss too, so make sure you consider this if you haven’t already, if you have unexplained hearing loss!
Final Thoughts
Unexplained hearing loss can be quite scary when it happens, so use this guide to help you consider all options. Make sure you book an appointment with an audiologist as soon as possible, to ensure you have your hearing loss sorted as soon as possible.
What other things are there that can cause unexplained hearing loss? Let me know in the comments below!
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