Hearing symptoms explained

Hearing symptoms

• What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

  

  Ear infection symptoms can include ear pain, pressure, discharge, itching, fever and reduced or muffled hearing. Symptoms vary depending on whether the outer or middle ear is affected.

• What causes an ear infection?

  

  Ear infections are often caused by viruses or bacteria. They may follow a cold, affect the middle ear behind the eardrum, or develop in the outer ear after water, irritation or damage to the ear canal.

• What is otitis media?

  

  Otitis media is inflammation or infection of the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum. It can cause pain, fever, temporary hearing loss and a feeling of pressure or fullness.

• What causes ringing in the ears?

  

  Ringing in the ears is usually tinnitus. It can be associated with hearing loss, loud-noise exposure, ear wax, infection, certain medicines or other conditions, so persistent or one-sided symptoms should be assessed.

• What is an acoustic neuroma?

  

  An acoustic neuroma is a usually non-cancerous tumour that grows on the nerve involved in hearing and balance. It can cause gradual hearing loss in one ear, tinnitus and balance difficulties.

• What is Ménière’s disease?

  

  Ménière’s disease is an inner-ear condition that can cause episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus and pressure or fullness in the affected ear.

• What are the symptoms of a perforated eardrum?

  

  A perforated eardrum may cause sudden ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, discharge or blood from the ear and dizziness. It should be assessed, particularly if symptoms are severe or follow an injury.

• What can cause ear pain?

  

  Ear pain may be caused by infection, ear wax, a perforated eardrum, pressure changes, jaw problems, dental problems or a sore throat. Severe, persistent or unexplained pain should be assessed.

• What causes a build-up of ear wax?

  

  Ear wax is produced naturally to protect the ear canal. A build-up may occur when wax is pushed deeper by cotton buds or hearing devices, or when the ear naturally produces harder or excess wax.

• What is sensorineural hearing loss?

  

  Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. Common causes include ageing, noise exposure, genetics, infection and some medicines; it is usually permanent.

• What are the symptoms of Ménière’s disease?

  

  Ménière’s disease can cause repeated episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and pressure or fullness in one ear. Episodes can last from minutes to hours.

• What can cause blocked ears?

  

  Blocked ears can be caused by ear wax, infection, congestion, changes in air pressure or Eustachian tube dysfunction. Avoid putting objects into the ear, as this can worsen the blockage.

• What are the symptoms of otitis media?

  

  Otitis media may cause earache, fever, pressure, reduced hearing, irritability and, occasionally, fluid draining from the ear. Symptoms often follow a cold or respiratory infection.

• What are the most common causes of hearing loss?

  

  Common causes include ageing, repeated exposure to loud noise, ear wax, infection, genetic factors and damage to the inner ear. A hearing assessment can help identify the type and likely cause.

• What are the symptoms of an acoustic neuroma?

  

  Common acoustic neuroma symptoms include gradual hearing loss in one ear, one-sided tinnitus and balance problems. Some people also experience facial numbness or weakness as it grows.

• What is conductive hearing loss?

  

  Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot travel efficiently through the outer or middle ear. Causes can include ear wax, infection, fluid behind the eardrum, a perforation or problems with the middle-ear bones.

• What are the symptoms of glue ear?

  

  Glue ear can cause temporary hearing loss, muffled sounds, ear pressure, balance problems and changes in speech or behaviour. It is more common in children but can also affect adults.

• What are the symptoms of Eustachian tube dysfunction?

  

  Eustachian tube dysfunction can cause muffled hearing, pressure or fullness, popping or clicking, ear pain and sometimes dizziness or tinnitus. It often follows a cold, allergy or change in air pressure.

• What symptoms can a blocked ear cause?

  

  A blocked ear may cause muffled hearing, fullness or pressure, discomfort, tinnitus, itching or dizziness. The symptoms depend on whether the cause is wax, congestion, infection or another condition.

• What are the symptoms of a cholesteatoma?

  

  A cholesteatoma can cause persistent or smelly ear discharge, gradual hearing loss, ear pain or pressure, tinnitus and dizziness. It needs medical treatment to prevent complications.

• What is unilateral hearing loss?

  

  Unilateral hearing loss means reduced hearing in one ear. It may make it harder to locate sounds or follow speech in noise and should be assessed, especially if it starts suddenly.

• What should I do if I experience sudden hearing loss?

  

  Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency, particularly when it affects one ear and develops over hours or a few days. Contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111 or attend an urgent treatment service.

• What are the symptoms of excessive ear wax?

  

  Excess ear wax can cause blocked or muffled hearing, earache, tinnitus, itching, dizziness or a feeling of fullness. Do not insert cotton buds or other objects into the ear.

• What are the symptoms of hearing loss?

  

  Hearing-loss symptoms include difficulty following speech, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the television and struggling in noisy places. Sounds may seem muffled or people may appear to mumble.

• What are the symptoms of otitis externa?

  

  Otitis externa can cause ear pain, itching, redness, swelling, discharge and temporary hearing loss. It affects the outer ear canal and is sometimes called swimmer’s ear.

• What can cause pressure in the ears?

  

  Ear pressure may be caused by a cold, allergies, sinus congestion, air travel, ear infection, wax or Eustachian tube dysfunction. Persistent pressure, pain or hearing loss should be assessed.

• What is a hearing impairment?

  

  Hearing impairment is a partial or complete reduction in the ability to hear. It can affect one or both ears and range from mild difficulty with certain sounds to profound hearing loss.

• How can I tell if I have an ear blockage?

  

  An ear blockage may cause muffled hearing, pressure, tinnitus, itching or discomfort. A professional can examine the ear to identify whether wax, infection, congestion or another issue is responsible.

• What are the symptoms of otosclerosis?

  

  Otosclerosis usually causes gradual hearing loss, often in both ears, and may also cause tinnitus or dizziness. People may find quiet speech difficult while hearing better in noisy surroundings.

• What are the signs of noise-induced hearing loss?

  

  Noise-induced hearing loss may cause difficulty understanding speech, especially in background noise, muffled hearing and tinnitus. It can develop gradually or follow a single very loud sound.

• What are the symptoms of hyperacusis?

  

  Hyperacusis makes everyday sounds seem unusually loud, uncomfortable or painful. It may affect one or both ears and can occur alongside tinnitus, hearing loss or migraine.

• What is mixed hearing loss?

  

  Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive hearing loss in the outer or middle ear and sensorineural hearing loss in the inner ear or auditory nerve.

• What are the early signs of hearing loss?

  

  Early signs include asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the television, struggling with telephone calls or group conversations and finding speech unclear in background noise.

• What are the symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss?

  

  Symptoms can include muffled hearing, difficulty understanding speech, tinnitus, dizziness and gradual or sudden hearing loss. A professional test can identify the pattern and degree of loss.

• What are the symptoms of auditory processing disorder?

  

  Auditory processing disorder can make it difficult to understand speech, follow spoken instructions or distinguish similar sounds, particularly in noisy environments, even when standard hearing results appear normal.

• How can I tell if I have hearing loss?

  

  You may have hearing loss if you often ask people to repeat themselves, turn up the television, struggle in groups or find sounds muffled. An online screening can help, but a professional hearing assessment provides a clearer answer.