Hearing FAQs
Yes, tinnitus can stop on its own. Signs that tinnitus is going away include:
- You hear it less often
- It seems softer or less noticeable
- You feel less bothered by it
- You’re able to sleep or relax without it interfering
If you have experienced sudden muffled hearing in one ear, you should visit our hearing center immediately. A sudden loss of hearing can sometimes be reversed if caught and treated early. Our audiologists will first look inside your ears to see if a blockage is causing your muffled hearing, such as earwax, and perform a diagnostic hearing test to assess your auditory nerve function.
It is not uncommon to experience ringing in the ears and dizziness together. This is because of the proximity of the hearing nerve to our sense of balance (which is in the cochlea). While tinnitus and vertigo are not always experienced together, if you have suffered head trauma, then you may have symptoms of both.
A build-up of earwax can cause discomfort and muffled hearing. You may be tempted to unclog your ears with a cotton swab, however that can cause more harm than good. Cotton swabs push earwax further into the ear canal, causing impaction. They can also damage the delicate parts of your inner ear or your eardrum. If your ears feel clogged and muffled, we can help.
Earplugs are not bad for your ears. In fact, earplugs can keep your ears safe from loud noises and protect your hearing ability. It’s important to wear earplugs whenever you are exposed to loud sounds.
Your hearing aids should not be whistling or squealing. If you are experiencing feedback with your hearing aids, bring them in to our office. We can adjust the programming or make any necessary repairs to correct this.