Sure, pregnancy is awesome and wonderful. But it can also be sort of… unpleasant, at least at times, and at least in terms of how it can make you feel. There’s the morning sickness, the changes to your body, the health hazards, and all kinds of weird side effects. None of this takes away from the joy of being a parent… but it’s a whole undertaking to get there.
And now we can add hearing loss to that list of drawbacks.
Most people don’t immediately connect hearing loss with pregnancy. But pregnancy-associated hearing loss is actually more prevalent than most people might think. It’s not a bad idea to keep an eye out for these symptoms. Pregnancy-associated hearing loss isn’t something you need to be worried about in most cases. Sadly, sometimes the cause is a more serious issue that could require swift medical treatment. Will pregnancy-related hearing loss subside? Well, the answer kind of depends on the underlying cause, and how rapidly you address it.
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 isn’t nearly as cinematic as something like morning sickness. People generally don’t expect pregnancy-related hearing loss, because of this. So, it might be beneficial to know what to watch out for.
After all, the symptoms of pregnancy-related hearing loss go beyond cranking the volume up on your television. The most prevalent symptoms include the following:
- Headaches and migraines: Regular headaches and migraines can also be more frequent.
- Everything seems quieter: Sure, this is likely the most apparent indication of hearing loss. But if it comes on suddenly, it’s something known as “sudden sensorineural hearing loss”. You need to convey any abrupt hearing loss during pregnancy to your doctor as soon as possible. You might require emergency treatment to stop the sudden hearing loss from becoming permanent.
- Tinnitus: Pregnancy-related hearing loss is often associated with tinnitus, or a ringing or buzzing in the ears. The rhythm and sound of your tinnitus symptoms can, in some cases, sound like your own heartbeat which is known as “pulsatile tinnitus”. Whether this tinnitus exists on its own or with hearing loss, it’s worth consulting your care team about what you’re feeling.
- Dizziness and imbalance: The inner ear can be affected by pregnancy-induced hearing loss, or sometimes a pre-existing issue with the inner ear can be the source of that hearing loss. Whenever your inner ear isn’t functioning properly, you might have issues with balance and dizziness with your hearing loss. And that also applies to pregnancy-induced hearing loss.
- 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.
These aren’t universal symptoms. Depending on the underlying cause of your pregnancy-related hearing loss, you may experience some symptoms but maybe not others. In any event, if you experience hearing loss or any of the associated symptoms while you are pregnant, it’s generally a good plan to talk to your provider. Because these symptoms could be an indication of a more serious concern.
What causes pregnancy-related hearing loss?
Is hearing affected by pregnancy? Well, perhaps, sometimes. But being pregnant may also impact 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:
- Bone growth: The ability for sound to pass through your ears can be blocked by an ailment called otosclerosis which causes the tiny bones in your ear to grow too quickly. In pregnant individuals, this faster bone growth might be caused by changes in your hormones or other changes in your body. Otoscerlosis research is still a continuing process, and scientists are still working out just how much it affects hearing.
- Some of the typical things: Whether you’re pregnant or not, common things like blockages, sinus infections, and ear infections can cause hearing loss.
- An iron deficiency: Your health, and the health of your child, can both be affected in a wide variety of ways by an iron deficiency. One of those impacts can in some cases be hearing loss in the woman who is pregnant.
- Changes in your circulatory system (and hormones): When you become pregnant, your body is doing an extreme amount of work. Your hormones and circulatory system are going through lots of changes, as an outcome.
- High blood pressure: Hearing loss and tinnitus can be the result of high blood pressure which can be caused by pregnancy. So telling your doctor about your hearing loss symptoms is very important. High blood pressure can be a symptom of preeclampsia and other serious ailments. These are problems that need to be watched carefully throughout your pregnancy.
Sometimes, the cause of your hearing loss could be difficult to identify. The essential thing will be to keep track of your symptoms and be in regular communication with your provider.
How is this form of hearing loss treated?
Treatment of this form of hearing loss will usually depend on the root cause. The question that most individuals have is: will my hearing return to normal? Once your pregnancy is over, your hearing should return to normal, or possibly even sooner.
But it’s also important to get treatment for any symptoms you detect because getting your hearing back isn’t always certain. For example, if bone growth is obstructing your ear canal, you might require additional treatment. Similarly, if you experience abrupt sensorineural hearing loss, the results will depend on how quickly you receive treatment.
For this reason, reporting any symptoms to your doctor is so essential. The next step will probably be a complete hearing assessment to rule out any more severe 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 certain you watch out for and safeguard your hearing. 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.