It’s an awesome and wonderful experience, having a child. But when it comes to how it can make you feel, it can be fairly unpleasant, at least sometimes. There’s the morning sickness, the changes to your body, the health challenges, 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.
Most people don’t instantly associate hearing loss with pregnancy. But pregnancy-related hearing loss is actually more prevalent than most individuals may think. This means that these symptoms are worth keeping on your radar. Pregnancy-related hearing loss isn’t something you need to be concerned about in most cases. In other cases, the cause is a serious concern and might require immediate medical treatment. Is hearing loss during pregnancy permanent? Well, it could be, depending on how quickly you address it and what the underlying cause is.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy-induced hearing loss?
You generally won’t hear about pregnancy-induced hearing loss in pop-culture. Things like morning sickness are much more cinematic. People usually don’t expect pregnancy-related hearing loss, because of this. So knowing what to look out for can be helpful.
After all, the symptoms of pregnancy-related hearing loss are about more than cranking up the volume on your television. Here are some of the most common:
- Tinnitus: A ringing in your ears, called tinnitus, is often associated with pregnancy-related hearing loss. In some situations, this tinnitus may even sound like or take on the rhythm of your own heartbeat (this is known as pulsatile tinnitus). Whether this tinnitus exists by itself or with hearing loss, it’s worth consulting your care team about what you’re feeling.
- Everything seems quieter: Sure, this is probably the most evident indication of hearing loss. But a condition known as “sudden sensorineural hearing loss” comes on suddenly and can be more noticeable. You should report any sudden hearing loss during pregnancy to your doctor as soon as possible. In order to stop sudden hearing loss from becoming permanent, you may need emergency treatment.
- Dizziness and imbalance: The inner ear can be affected by pregnancy-induced hearing loss, or in some cases a pre-existing problem with the inner ear can be the source of that hearing loss. Your hearing loss may be accompanied by dizziness and balance issues if you have a problem with your inner ear. And that also goes for pregnancy-related hearing loss.
- A feeling of fullness in your ears: Pregnancy-induced hearing loss might sometimes be accompanied by a feeling of stuffiness or fullness in your ears.
- Headaches and migraines: Regular headaches and migraines can also be more consistent.
These aren’t universal symptoms. You will most likely experience some symptoms and not others depending on the underlying cause of your pregnancy-induced hearing loss. Either way, it’s a good idea to consult 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
Does being pregnant affect hearing? In some cases, possibly. But being pregnant may also impact other parts of your body that will then go on to impact your hearing.
So, what are the likely causes of pregnancy-related hearing loss? Well, the causes differ… but some of the most common include:
- High blood pressure: Hearing loss and tinnitus can be the outcome of high blood pressure which can be brought about by pregnancy. And this is, to some extent, why it’s extremely important to tell your doctor about your hearing loss. Serious ailments, including preeclampsia, can trigger high blood pressure. These are issues that should be monitored carefully throughout your pregnancy.
- Bone growth: There’s a rare affliction known as otosclerosis in which the tiny bones in your ear start growing more quickly, and this accelerated growth prevents sound from passing through your ears. Pregnancy induces hormonal changes and other body changes that can cause this type of bone growth. It should be mentioned that research into otosclerosis during pregnancy, and exactly how much it impacts hearing, is ongoing.
- An iron deficiency: An iron deficiency while you’re pregnant can have a wide variety of consequences for your health and your baby’s health. One of those impacts can in some cases be hearing loss in the woman who is pregnant.
- Some of the typical things: Whether you’re pregnant or not, typical things like blockages, sinus infections, and ear infections can trigger hearing loss.
- Changes in your circulatory system (and hormones): Your body is doing an exceptional amount of work when you get pregnant. As a result, all kinds of changes are afoot, both with respect to your hormones and your circulatory system.
In some instances, the cause of your hearing loss simply won’t be all that well understood. The essential thing will be to keep track of your symptoms and be in regular communication with your provider.
How is this kind of hearing loss treated?
The root cause of this type of hearing loss will largely determine the course of treatment. The question that most individuals have is: will my hearing loss clear up? In most situations, 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 notice because getting your hearing back isn’t always a given. You may need extra treatment if bone growth is blocking your ear canal, for example. Likewise, if you experience abrupt sensorineural hearing loss, the results will depend on how rapidly you receive treatment.
For this reason, reporting any symptoms to your doctor is so essential. The next step will most likely be a comprehensive hearing assessment to rule out any more serious conditions and try to diagnose the underlying cause.
Protect your hearing
Protecting your hearing is something you should watch out for especially when you’re pregnant. 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 right away.