It’s an awesome and wonderful experience, having a child. But when it comes to how it can make you feel, it can be pretty unpleasant, at least sometimes. There’s the morning sickness, the difference in your body, the health challenges, 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 disadvantages.
Most people don’t instantly connect hearing loss with pregnancy. But pregnancy-induced hearing loss is actually more common than most individuals might think. This means that these symptoms are worth keeping on your radar. In some cases, the source of pregnancy-related hearing loss is innocuous and banal. In other cases, the cause is a serious concern and may require immediate medical attention. Is hearing loss during pregnancy permanent? Well, it could be, depending on how rapidly you treat it and what the root cause is.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy-induced hearing loss?
You generally won’t hear about pregnancy-induced hearing loss in pop-culture. It isn’t nearly as cinematic as something like morning sickness. People generally don’t expect pregnancy-related hearing loss, because of this. So knowing what to watch out for can be helpful.
After all, the symptoms of pregnancy-related hearing loss go beyond turning up the volume on your television. Here are a few of the most common:
- Tinnitus: A ringing in your ears, called tinnitus, is frequently associated with pregnancy-induced hearing loss. In some circumstances, this tinnitus may even sound like or take on the rhythm of your own heartbeat (this is known as pulsatile tinnitus). You should speak with your doctor about your tinnitus, whether hearing loss is also present or not.
- You feel plugged in your ears: Pregnancy-induced hearing loss might in some cases be accompanied by a feeling of being plugged or fullness in your ears.
- Everything seems quieter: Of course, this symptom of hearing loss is the most evident. But if it comes on all of a sudden, it’s something called “sudden sensorineural hearing loss”. You should report any sudden hearing loss during pregnancy to your doctor as soon as possible. You may require emergency treatment to prevent the sudden hearing loss from becoming permanent.
- Dizziness and imbalance: In many instances, pregnancy-related hearing loss can impact the inner ear (or, in some instances, whatever is affecting the inner ear is also causing 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.
- Headaches and migraines: Regular headaches and migraines can also be more frequent.
None of these symptoms are inevitably universal. You will probably experience some symptoms and not others depending on the underlying cause of your pregnancy-induced hearing loss. In any case, if you experience hearing loss or any of the associated symptoms while you are pregnant, it’s typically a good idea to talk to your provider. Because these symptoms may be an indication of a more serious issue.
The causes of pregnancy-related hearing loss
Does being pregnant impact hearing? In some cases, possibly. But being pregnant may also impact other parts of your body that will then go on to affect your hearing.
So, what are the likely causes of pregnancy-related hearing loss? Here are some of the most common causes:
- High blood pressure: Hearing loss and tinnitus can be the result of high blood pressure which can be brought about by pregnancy. So telling your physician about your hearing loss symptoms is really important. Serious ailments, including preeclampsia, can cause high blood pressure. These are issues that should be monitored carefully throughout your pregnancy.
- Bone growth: There’s a rare condition known as otosclerosis where the tiny bones in your ear start growing more quickly, and this accelerated growth prevents sound from passing through your ears. Pregnancy produces hormonal changes and other body changes that can cause this type of bone growth. Otoscerlosis research is still an ongoing process, and scientists are still working 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. One of those impacts can sometimes be hearing loss in the person who is pregnant.
- Some of the typical things: Whether you’re pregnant or not, common things like blockages, sinus infections, and ear infections can cause hearing loss.
- 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 with respect to your hormones and your circulatory system.
Sometimes, the cause of your hearing loss may be hard to identify. The important thing will be to keep an eye on your symptoms and be in frequent communication with your doctor.
How is this form of hearing loss managed?
The underlying cause of this form of hearing loss will largely dictate the course of treatment. The question that most individuals have is: will my hearing loss clear up? Once your pregnancy has ended, your hearing should return to normal, or maybe even sooner.
But it’s also essential to get treatment for any symptoms you detect because getting your hearing back isn’t always certain. You may require extra treatment if bone growth is blocking your ear canal, for instance. Likewise, if you suffer from abrupt sensorineural hearing loss, the results will depend on how fast you receive treatment.
That’s why it’s so essential to be certain that you report these symptoms to your doctor. You might then undergo a comprehensive hearing screening or assessment to help figure out your symptoms (or at least eliminate any of the more dangerous possible impacts).
Protect your hearing
Even when you’re pregnant, while you’re juggling so many other things, it’s essential to be sure you watch out for and safeguard your hearing. One of the best ways to do that is to stay in touch with us and with your care team. Give us a call today to schedule a hearing assessment.