24 Aug Hearing loss in one ear: what can be behind it

The sense of hearing is an invaluable connection to the world around us. But what happens if this connection is interrupted on one side? At first glance, unilateral hearing loss may seem less serious than the loss of hearing in both ears.

Nevertheless, it has a profound impact on the lives of those affected. In this article, we will inform you about how hearing loss in one ear can occur and what we can do about it.

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss refers to the partial or complete impairment of a person's hearing. There are different degrees and forms of loss, ranging from mild hearing loss to deafness. Hearing loss can occur for a variety of reasons. There are two main types of hearing loss:

Sensorineural hearing loss

This type occurs when the hair cells in the Cochlea or the associated nerves are damaged. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent. Natural ageing, genetic factors or diseases such as Meniere's disease can cause it.

Line loss

The problem lies in the outer or middle ear, which cannot transmit sound efficiently to the inner ear. Loss of conduction can be caused by too much earwax, infections, injuries or anomalies in the ossicles, for example. Some of these causes are treatable.

Hearing loss in one ear: What does that mean?

Hearing loss can occur in both ears (bilateral hearing loss). However, it can also occur in only one ear. This means that the hearing in the right or left ear is impaired, while the hearing in the other ear is normal. As a result, those affected are less sensitive to sound sources or noises on one side or may not hear them at all. Hearing loss in one ear can present various challenges, including

Difficulties in recognising the direction of sounds

People with unilateral hearing loss may have difficulty determining the exact direction from which a sound is coming.

Problems in noisy environments

Understanding conversations in noisy environments is often more difficult for those affected, as the healthy ear cannot "filter" sufficiently and reduce disturbing background noise. This can even have social and emotional consequences. Some sufferers therefore feel isolated or uncomfortable in social situations.

Unilateral hearing loss and sudden hearing loss: differences

Hearing loss in one ear and sudden deafness are two different medical conditions. Both can affect hearing, but have different causes and mechanisms.

Hearing loss in one ear

Hearing loss in one ear refers to an impaired ability to perceive or hear sounds in only one ear. This can be due to sensorineural hearing loss (damage to the hair cells in the inner ear or the associated nerves) or conductive hearing loss (problems in the outer or middle ear that do not transmit sound efficiently to the inner ear).

sudden deafness

Hearing loss, on the other hand, is a sudden, often unexplained decrease in hearing in one or both ears. This often occurs over hours or days and can range from mild to severe hearing loss. The exact cause of sudden hearing loss is not always known. Factors such as circulatory disorders in the inner ear, infections, inflammation or autoimmune reactions can play a role.

Risk of confusion in case of hearing loss in one ear and sudden hearing loss

While hearing loss in one ear can be a chronic or slowly progressive impairment, sudden hearing loss is a sudden and often distressing condition.

Both phenomena can easily be confused with each other for those affected - this is because sudden hearing loss, especially if it occurs in one ear, can lead to temporary or in some cases even permanent hearing loss.

Treatment of hearing loss in Frankfurt

If you experience sudden hearing loss, we advise you to seek urgent medical help and make an appointment at our ENT clinic in Frankfurt to be agreed. With a careful Hearing diagnostics we can determine the exact cause of your problems and take appropriate action.

Hearing loss can be treated in different ways depending on the cause, severity and your individual circumstances. In the case of conductive hearing loss, medical treatment (e.g. for infections) or surgical intervention (e.g. for anomalies) can bring improvement. If it is just a plug of earwax, we will carefully remove it using special tweezers and/or a suction cup. In this case, there is usually an immediate improvement. If it is a sensorineural hearing loss, hearing aids can help.

Simply contact us if you have the feeling that something is wrong with your hearing!

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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sudden deafness, Treating sudden deafness, Hearing loss, Hearing loss in one ear