Of course, pregnancy is awesome and fantastic. But in terms of how it can make you feel, it can be pretty uncomfortable, at least sometimes. There are all sorts of peculiar side effects, like morning sickness, health challenges, and changes to your body. None of this takes away from the joy of being a parent… but it’s a whole process to get there.
And now there’s another potential little disadvantage to add to the list: hearing loss.
Most individuals don’t immediately connect hearing loss with pregnancy. But pregnancy-associated hearing loss is actually more prevalent than most people may presume. It’s not a bad idea to keep an eye out for these symptoms. Pregnancy-induced hearing loss isn’t something you need to be concerned about in most cases. In other cases, the cause is a serious issue and might require immediate medical attention. Will pregnancy-related hearing loss clear up? Well, the answer sort of depends on the root cause, and how rapidly you address it.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy-induced hearing loss?
Hearing loss during pregnancy doesn’t make an appearance on many sitcoms or in many romantic comedies. It isn’t nearly as cinematic as something like morning sickness. People usually don’t expect pregnancy-related hearing loss, because of this. So, it might be useful to know what to look out for.
After all, the symptoms of pregnancy-related hearing loss go beyond turning the volume up on your television. The most common symptoms include the following:
- Headaches and migraines: You may also have an increase in the number of headaches or migraines you have regularly.
- Dizziness and imbalance: The inner ear can be impacted by pregnancy-related hearing loss, or sometimes a pre-existing issue with the inner ear can be the source of that hearing loss. Your hearing loss might be accompanied by dizziness and balance issues if you have an issue with your inner ear. Pregnancy-related hearing loss isn’t an exception.
- Everything seems quieter: Certainly, this is probably the most evident indication of hearing loss. But a condition known as “sudden sensorineural hearing loss” comes on abruptly and can be more apparent. You need to report any sudden hearing loss during pregnancy to your doctor as soon as possible. You might need emergency treatment to stop the sudden hearing loss from becoming irreversible.
- Tinnitus: Pregnancy-related hearing loss is often linked to tinnitus, or a ringing or buzzing in the ears. In some situations, this tinnitus might even sound like or take on the rhythm of your own heartbeat (this is called pulsatile tinnitus). Whether this tinnitus exists by itself or with hearing loss, it’s worth consulting your doctor about what you’re feeling.
- A feeling of fullness in your ears: A feeling of fullness in the ears frequently accompanies pregnancy-related hearing loss.
None of these symptoms are necessarily universal. Depending on the underlying cause of your pregnancy-related hearing loss, you may experience some symptoms but not others. Either way, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if experience any of these hearing loss symptoms. That’s because these symptoms can sometimes be an indication of some rare but larger problems.
The causes of pregnancy-induced hearing loss
Is hearing affected by pregnancy? Well, possibly, sometimes. But other parts of your body are affected by pregnancy and those parts of your body can then affect your hearing.
So how can pregnancy-related hearing loss possibly be caused? Well, the causes differ… but some of the most prevalent include:
- Changes in your circulatory system (and hormones): Your body is performing an exceptional amount of work when you become pregnant. Your hormones and circulatory system are experiencing lots of changes, as a result.
- Some of the typical things: Whether you’re pregnant or not, common things like obstructions, sinus infections, and ear infections can trigger hearing loss.
- High blood pressure: Hearing loss and tinnitus can be the result of high blood pressure which can be caused by pregnancy. And this is, to some extent, why it’s extremely important to tell your provider about your hearing loss. Serious conditions, including preeclampsia, can cause high blood pressure. Throughout pregnancy, these issues should be tracked.
- Bone growth: There’s a rare condition called otosclerosis in which the tiny bones in your ear start growing more quickly, and this accelerated growth blocks the ability of sound to pass through your ears. Pregnancy induces hormonal changes and other body changes that can lead to this kind of bone growth. It should be noted that research into otosclerosis during pregnancy, and just how much it impacts hearing, is continuing.
- 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 woman who is pregnant.
In some cases, the cause of your hearing loss could be difficult to identify. The important thing will be to keep an eye on your symptoms and be in frequent communication with your provider.
How is this form of hearing loss treated?
Treatment of this form of hearing loss will likely depend on the root cause. The question that many people have is: will my hearing return to normal? In most cases, yes, your hearing will go back to normal once you’re no longer pregnant, or maybe even before.
But it’s also essential to get treatment for any symptoms you detect because getting your hearing back isn’t always a given. For instance, if bone growth is blocking your ear canal, you could require additional treatment. Likewise, if you experience abrupt sensorineural hearing loss, the results will depend on how fast you receive treatment.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure you report these symptoms to your provider. The next step will probably be a complete hearing evaluation to eliminate 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 essential to make sure you watch out for and protect your hearing. One of the best ways to do that is to remain in touch with us and with your care team. Schedule a hearing assessment with us as soon as possible.
