Sure, pregnancy is awesome and incredible. But in terms of how it can make you feel, it can be rather unpleasant, at least sometimes. There’s the morning sickness, the changes to your body, the health hazards, and all kinds of strange side effects. Getting there can be a bit of a process, but that doesn’t detract from the joy of being a parent.
And now there’s another possible little drawback to add to the list: hearing loss.
Pregnancy isn’t usually the first thing you think of when somebody is talking about hearing loss. But pregnancy-induced hearing loss is actually more prevalent than most people might presume. This means that these symptoms are worth watching out for. In some cases, the cause of pregnancy-associated hearing loss is innocuous and banal. In other cases, the cause is a serious concern and may call for immediate medical attention. Will pregnancy-related hearing loss go away? Well, it could be, depending on how fast you address it and what the root cause is.
Pregnancy-related hearing loss symptoms
Hearing loss during pregnancy doesn’t appear on a lot of sitcoms or in very many romantic comedies. It isn’t nearly as cinematic as things like morning sickness. 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 look out for.
Pregnancy-related hearing loss is about more than just cranking the volume up on your devices, after all. Here are some of the most common:
- Dizziness and imbalance: The inner ear can be affected by pregnancy-induced hearing loss, or sometimes a pre-existing issue with the inner ear can be the cause of that hearing loss. Your hearing loss might be accompanied by dizziness and balance issues if you have a problem with your inner ear. And that also goes for pregnancy-induced hearing loss.
- Tinnitus: A ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus, is often associated with pregnancy-induced hearing loss. In some circumstances, this tinnitus might even sound like or take on the rhythm of your own heartbeat (this is called pulsatile tinnitus). You should consult your doctor about your tinnitus, whether hearing loss is also present or not.
- Headaches and migraines: Regular headaches and migraines can also be more frequent.
- You feel plugged in your ears: A feeling of fullness in the ears frequently accompanies pregnancy-induced hearing loss.
- Everything seems quieter: Of course, this indication of hearing loss is the most obvious. But if it occurs all of a sudden, it’s something known as “sudden sensorineural hearing loss”. You need to report any sudden hearing loss during pregnancy to your doctor as soon as possible. In order to prevent sudden hearing loss from becoming irreversible, you might require emergency treatment.
None of these symptoms are necessarily universal. Depending on the underlying cause of your pregnancy-induced hearing loss, you might experience some symptoms but not others. In any case, if you experience hearing loss or any of the related symptoms while you are pregnant, it’s generally a good idea to talk to your doctor. That’s because these symptoms can sometimes be an indication of some rare but larger issues.
What causes pregnancy-related hearing loss?
Is hearing impacted by pregnancy? Well, maybe, in some cases. But other parts of your body are affected by pregnancy and those parts of your body can then affect your hearing.
So, what are the likely causes of pregnancy-induced hearing loss? Here are some of the most common causes:
- Hormone and circulatory changes: When you become pregnant, your body is doing an extreme amount of work. Your hormones and circulatory system are going through lots of changes, as an outcome.
- 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. In pregnant women, this quicker bone growth might be caused by changes in your hormones or other changes in your body. It should be mentioned that research into otosclerosis during pregnancy, and just how much it impacts hearing, is continuing.
- High blood pressure: While you’re pregnant, high blood pressure can cause tinnitus and hearing loss. And this is, to some extent, why it’s very important to tell your doctor about your hearing loss. High blood pressure can be a symptom of preeclampsia and other serious conditions. Throughout pregnancy, these issues should be monitored.
- An iron deficiency: Your health, and the health of your child, can both be impacted in a wide variety of ways by an iron deficiency. One of those impacts can in some cases be hearing loss in the person who is pregnant.
- Some of the typical things: If you get an ear infection, a sinus infection, or any kind of blockage in your ear (like earwax), this can trigger hearing loss whether you’re pregnant or not.
In some situations, the cause of your hearing loss just won’t be all that well understood. Regularly consulting your doctor and keeping track of your symptoms is the key here.
How is this type of hearing loss managed?
Treatment of this type of hearing loss will usually depend on the underlying cause. Will my hearing go back to normal? This is the most prevalent question individuals will have. In most cases, yes, your hearing will return to normal once your pregnancy is over, or possibly 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 might require additional treatment. Similarly, if you suffer from abrupt sensorineural hearing loss, the outcome will depend on how quickly you receive treatment.
For this reason, reporting any symptoms to your physician is so important. The next step will most likely be a complete hearing assessment to rule out any more severe conditions and try to diagnose the underlying cause.
Protect your hearing
Even when you’re pregnant, while you’re managing so many other things, it’s important 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.
