Loss of hearing on one side can happen if you find it difficult to hear or you experience deafness in one of your ears. If you have this condition, you can have difficulty understanding speech in crowded places and tuning out the background noise.
Let us understand more about this condition below.
Unilateral deafness or unilateral hearing loss
Hearing loss on just one side is also called unilateral deafness or unilateral hearing loss. It is a condition wherein only one ear doesn’t hear. However, you can still clearly hear with your other ear.
If you suddenly experience hearing loss on one side, you should talk to your doctor. It is a medical emergency, so you should seek immediate medical attention. The doctor will suggest you the best treatment options. You can also be referred to a specialist.
The doctor can recommend surgery, medication, or a hearing aid depending on the causes of your unilateral hearing loss. Usually, unilateral deafness can go away even without treatment.
What are the causes of hearing loss on just one side?
Hearing loss in one ear can be caused by the following:
- Tumor
- Injury to the ear
- Exposure to specific drugs or loud noises
- Illness
- Blockage of the ear
Changes in your hearing can be natural due to aging. However, it can be caused by the wax formation in your ear canal or ear infections with fluid buildup. In addition, hearing loss in one ear can also be caused by medical conditions like the following:
Eardrum rupture – It is a small tear or hole in the eardrum
Acoustic neuroma – It is a tumor that presses on the never that can affect your hearing
Meniere’s disease – It is a condition wherein your inner ear is affected and results in deafness
Labyrinthitis – A disorder that makes the inner ear apparatus to be irritated and swollen
Otitis externa – Also called swimmer’s ear, it is the inflammation of the ear canal and outer ear
Neurofibromatosis type 2 – It was an inherited illness that leads to noncancerous growths on your auditory nerve
Otitis media with effusion – Infection with sticky or thick fluid behind your eardrum
Reye’s syndrome – Is a rare condition that can be usually seen among children
Shingles – It was an infection that can be caused by a virus that also causes chickenpox
Vertebrobasilar insufficiency – This condition involves blood circulation to the back of the brain
Temporal arteritis – Involves damage and inflammation to the blood vessels in the neck and head
Other causes of unilateral hearing loss
Hearing loss on only one side can also be caused by prescription medications, including:
- Diuretics like furosemide
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Antibiotics like tobramycin and streptomycin
- Salicylate (aspirin) toxicity
When should you call a doctor?
You should call your doctor if your experience the following with your hearing loss:
- Severe earache
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Sudden deafness
- Tinnitus or chronic ringing in the ears
Prevention of unilateral hearing loss
You can prevent hearing loss on one side by reducing exposure to loud noises. You can consider the tips below to avoid unilateral hearing loss.
Turn down the volume of your electronic devices, toys, and earbuds.
Wear sound-reducing earplugs or earmuffs as you attend loud events or in noisy environments.
Diagnosing hearing loss in one ear
According to National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, around 10 to 15% of hearing loss have identifiable causes for their condition. You should visit your doctor if you experience hearing loss in just one ear.
The doctor will review your medical history and symptoms and take a physical examination of your nose, ears, and throat. The doctor can also suggest a hearing test. In this test, your specialist or audiologist measures your response to different tones and sounds at different volume levels.
Treatment of hearing loss in just one ear
The treatment options for unilateral hearing loss can depend on the condition’s cause. Usually, it can be an irreversible hearing loss. Your specialist can suggest a hearing aid that can enhance your hearing if there’s no other treatment.
Treatment options for hearing loss on just one side are:
- Antibiotics for infection treatment
- Surgery to remove the tumor or repair the ear
- Stopping the use of medication that can cause hearing loss
- Steroids to lower swelling and inflammation
If your hearing loss is caused by a buildup of wax, it can be treated by removing the earwax gently. You can take over-the-counter products like hydrogen peroxide, baby oil, mineral oil, or earwax removal products like Debrox.
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Conclusion
If you want to know ways to cope with hearing loss, you should consult your doctor immediately. Unilateral hearing loss is a medical emergency, so seek immediate medical attention to get the best treatment.