Sure, pregnancy is amazing and wonderful. But in terms of how it can make you feel, it can be fairly uncomfortable, at least in some cases. There’s the morning sickness, the changes to your body, the health challenges, and all sorts of strange side effects. None of this detracts from the joy of being a parent… but it’s a whole process to get there.
And now there’s another possible small disadvantage to add to the list: hearing loss.
Most people don’t immediately associate hearing loss with pregnancy. But pregnancy-induced hearing loss is actually more prevalent than most individuals may think. It’s not a bad plan to keep an eye out for these symptoms. In some cases, the source of pregnancy-related hearing loss is harmless and insignificant. Sadly, sometimes the cause is a more serious problem that could call for swift medical treatment. Will pregnancy-related hearing loss clear up? Well, it could be, depending on how quickly you address it and what the root cause is.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy-related hearing loss?
Hearing loss during pregnancy doesn’t show up on many sitcoms or in many romantic comedies. Things like morning sickness are much more cinematic. This means that, generally speaking, people may be less likely to anticipate pregnancy-related hearing loss. So, it may be useful 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. Here are some of the most common:
- Dizziness and imbalance: In many cases, pregnancy-related hearing loss can impact the inner ear (or, in some cases, whatever is impacting the inner ear is also causing hearing loss). Whenever your inner ear isn’t working properly, you might have problems with balance and dizziness accompanying your hearing loss. Pregnancy-related hearing loss is no exception.
- Everything seems quieter: Of course, this indication of hearing loss is the most apparent. But a condition called “sudden sensorineural hearing loss” occurs abruptly and can be more apparent. You should report any abrupt hearing loss during pregnancy to your provider as soon as you can. In order to prevent sudden hearing loss from becoming irreversible, you may need emergency treatment.
- Headaches and migraines: You may also experience an increase in the number of headaches or migraines you have regularly.
- Tinnitus: Pregnancy-related hearing loss is often associated with tinnitus, or a ringing or buzzing in the ears. In some cases, this tinnitus might even sound like or take on the rhythm of your own heartbeat (this is known as pulsatile tinnitus). You should consult your doctor about your tinnitus, whether hearing loss is also present or not.
- You feel a fullness in your ears: Pregnancy-related hearing loss may in some cases be accompanied by a feeling of being plugged or fullness in your ears.
These aren’t universal symptoms. You will probably experience some symptoms and not others depending on the root cause of your pregnancy-induced hearing loss. In any event, if you experience hearing loss or any of the associated symptoms while you are pregnant, it’s usually a good idea to talk to your doctor. That’s because these symptoms can in some cases be an indication of some rare but bigger issues.
The causes of pregnancy-induced hearing loss
Does being pregnant affect hearing? Sometimes, possibly. But other parts of your body are impacted by pregnancy and those parts of your body can then affect your hearing.
So, what are the likely causes of pregnancy-related hearing loss? Here are some of the most common causes:
- 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 sometimes be hearing loss in the person who is pregnant.
- Hormone and circulatory changes: When you get pregnant, your body is doing an extreme amount of work. As a consequence, all sorts of changes are happening, both in terms of your hormones and your circulatory system.
- Some of the typical things: If you get an ear infection, a sinus infection, or any type of blockage in your ear (like earwax), this can trigger 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, in part, why it’s extremely important to tell your doctor about your hearing loss. Serious conditions, including preeclampsia, can cause high blood pressure. These are issues that need to be monitored carefully throughout your pregnancy.
- Bone growth: The ability for sound to pass through your ears can be blocked by a condition called otosclerosis which causes the tiny bones in your ear to grow too fast. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes and other body changes that can cause this kind of bone growth. Otoscerlosis research is still a continuing process, and scientists are still working out just how much it impacts hearing.
In some instances, the cause of your hearing loss just won’t be all that well comprehended. The essential thing will be to be mindful of your symptoms and be in regular communication with your doctor.
How do you treat this type of hearing loss?
The root cause of this kind of hearing loss will largely determine the course of treatment. Will my hearing return to normal? This is the most common question individuals will have. In most instances, yes, your hearing will return to normal once your pregnancy is over, or possibly even before.
But it’s also important to get treatment for any symptoms you observe because getting your hearing back isn’t always certain. You may need additional treatment if bone growth is blocking your ear canal, for example. Similarly, if you suffer from abrupt sensorineural hearing loss, the outcome will depend on how quickly you receive treatment.
That’s why it’s so essential to make sure you report these symptoms to your provider. The next step will most likely be a thorough hearing assessment to eliminate any more serious conditions and try to diagnose the root cause.
Protect your hearing
Protecting your hearing is something you need to watch out for particularly when you’re pregnant. 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 evaluation.
