It is common to experience changes in hearing when feeling unwell. This temporary alteration in auditory perception is often a side effect of the body’s response to an infection or inflammation. Understanding why this occurs can help manage expectations during illness. These hearing changes are transient, resolving as the underlying sickness clears.
How Illness Affects Hearing
Illnesses can lead to hearing changes through several physiological mechanisms, primarily affecting the middle ear. The Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, plays a significant role in regulating ear pressure and draining fluid. During an illness, inflammation and swelling can cause this tube to become blocked.
This blockage leads to fluid buildup behind the eardrum, a condition known as otitis media with effusion. The accumulated fluid interferes with the eardrum’s ability to vibrate properly and transmit sound waves to the inner ear structures. This results in conductive hearing loss, where sounds are muffled or indistinct.
The body’s immune response to infection can also cause inflammation or temporary dysfunction of delicate inner ear structures, including the tiny hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain. Less commonly, severe infections can lead to temporary nerve damage or dysfunction, potentially causing sensorineural hearing loss.
Specific Illnesses Linked to Hearing Loss
Common respiratory illnesses contribute to temporary hearing changes. Colds and the flu, for instance, cause nasal and sinus congestion. This congestion can extend to the Eustachian tubes, leading to fluid accumulation in the middle ear and muffled hearing.
Middle ear infections, also known as otitis media, are a common result of colds and viruses, particularly in children. These infections involve the buildup of fluid and pus behind the eardrum, which exerts pressure on the middle ear bones and impedes sound conduction. Sinus infections can also induce ear pressure and muffled hearing.
Less frequently, some infections have been linked to more direct impacts on hearing. COVID-19, for example, has been associated with potential hearing changes and tinnitus in some individuals. Historically, viral infections like mumps and measles, before widespread vaccination, were known to cause permanent damage to the cochlea, the spiral cavity in the inner ear.
When to Seek Medical Help and Treatment Options
If hearing loss persists after an illness resolves, or if it is sudden and severe, especially in one ear, medical attention is advisable. Other concerning symptoms include ear pain, discharge from the ear, dizziness, or a ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus). Prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider, such as a primary physician or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, can help determine the cause and appropriate course of action.
For temporary hearing loss related to congestion, common treatments include over-the-counter decongestants and pain relievers to reduce swelling and discomfort. Staying well-hydrated and using a humidifier can also help thin mucus and promote drainage from the Eustachian tubes. If a bacterial infection, such as a middle ear infection, is diagnosed, antibiotics may be prescribed to clear the infection and alleviate fluid buildup. Most temporary hearing loss experienced during illness resolves as the underlying condition improves.