Of course, pregnancy is awesome and fantastic. But in terms of how it can make you feel, it can be fairly unpleasant, at least sometimes. There are all kinds of strange side effects, including morning sickness, health hazards, and changes to your body. Getting there can be somewhat of a process, but that doesn’t detract from the joy of being a parent.
And now we can add hearing loss to that list of disadvantages.
Pregnancy isn’t usually the first thing you think of when someone is talking about hearing loss. But pregnancy-induced hearing loss is actually more common than most individuals may think. This means that these symptoms are worth keeping on your radar. Pregnancy-induced hearing loss isn’t something you should be worried about in most cases. In other cases, the cause is a serious issue and may require immediate medical treatment. Is hearing loss during pregnancy irreversible? Well, it could be, depending on how quickly you address it and what the root cause is.
Pregnancy-induced hearing loss symptoms
Hearing loss during pregnancy doesn’t make an appearance on many sitcoms or in very many romantic comedies. It isn’t nearly as cinematic as something like morning sickness. People typically don’t expect pregnancy-related hearing loss, because of this. So knowing what to look out for can be helpful.
Pregnancy-related hearing loss is about more than just turning up the volume on your devices, after all. Here are some of the most common:
- Headaches and migraines: You might also experience an increase in the number of headaches or migraines you have regularly.
- Everything seems quieter: Of course, this indication of hearing loss is the most apparent. But if it occurs suddenly, it’s something called “sudden sensorineural hearing loss”. You need to report any abrupt hearing loss during pregnancy to your physician as soon as you can. You may need emergency treatment to stop the sudden hearing loss from becoming permanent.
- Dizziness and imbalance: The inner ear can be affected by pregnancy-induced hearing loss, or in some cases a pre-existing problem with the inner ear can be the cause of that hearing loss. Your hearing loss might be accompanied by dizziness and balance issues if you have a problem with your inner ear. And that also applies to pregnancy-related hearing loss.
- You feel plugged in your ears: A feeling of fullness in the ears often accompanies pregnancy-related hearing loss.
- Tinnitus: A ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus, is often associated with pregnancy-related hearing loss. The rhythm and sound of your tinnitus symptoms can, in some instances, 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 care team about what you’re feeling.
These aren’t universal symptoms. Depending on the root 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 related symptoms while you are pregnant, it’s typically a good plan to talk to your provider. That’s because these symptoms can sometimes be an indication of some rare but bigger issues.
What causes pregnancy-induced hearing loss?
Is hearing impacted by pregnancy? Sometimes, possibly. But being pregnant may also affect other parts of your body that will then go on to impact your hearing.
So, what are the likely causes of pregnancy-induced hearing loss? Well, the causes differ… but some of the most prevalent include:
- An iron deficiency: Your health, and the health of your baby, 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 person who is pregnant.
- Some of the typical things: If you develop an ear infection, a sinus infection, or any kind of blockage in your ear (like earwax), this can cause hearing loss whether you’re pregnant or not.
- High blood pressure: When you are pregnant, high blood pressure can cause tinnitus and hearing loss. And this is, to some extent, why it’s very important to tell your provider about your hearing loss. Serious conditions, including preeclampsia, can trigger high blood pressure. These are issues that need to be watched carefully throughout your pregnancy.
- Bone growth: The ability for sound to pass through your ears can be obstructed by a condition called otosclerosis which causes the tiny bones in your ear to grow too quickly. In pregnant individuals, this quicker 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 figuring out just how much it affects hearing.
- Changes in your circulatory system (and hormones): When you get pregnant, your body is doing an extreme amount of work. As a consequence, all sorts of changes are afoot, both in terms of your hormones and your circulatory system.
In some situations, the cause of your hearing loss simply won’t be all that well comprehended. The important thing will be to be mindful of your symptoms and be in regular communication with your provider.
How is this form of hearing loss treated?
The underlying cause of this form of hearing loss will largely determine the course of treatment. Will my hearing go back to normal? This is the most prevalent question people will have. In most cases, yes, your hearing will go back to normal once your pregnancy is over, or possibly even before.
But it’s also essential to get treatment for any symptoms you detect because getting your hearing back isn’t always certain. You may need additional treatment if bone growth is obstructing your ear canal, for example. The outcome will also depend on how quickly you get treatment in the case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
That’s why it’s so important to be certain that you report these symptoms to your doctor. The next step will most likely be a complete hearing assessment to rule out any more severe conditions and try to diagnose the underlying cause.
Protect your hearing
Even when you’re pregnant, while you’re juggling so many other things, it’s important to make sure you watch out for and protect your hearing. One of the best ways to do that is to stay in touch with us and with your care team. Schedule a hearing examination with us right away.