Muffled Hearing: Causes and Solutions

Muffled Hearing: Causes and Solutions

Muffled hearing feels like you have put cotton balls in your ears. The feeling can be unsettling as everyday sounds become unclear and distant. While there are several factors that can cause this condition, this hearing can also be a result of certain underlying medical conditions. This is why muffled hearing should not be neglected for long. Read on to understand this condition in detail and learn when to see a doctor.

Muffled hearing feels like you have put cotton balls in your ears. The feeling can be unsettling as everyday sounds become unclear and distant. While there are several factors that can cause this condition, this hearing can also be a result of certain underlying medical conditions. This is why muffled hearing should not be neglected for long. Read on to understand this condition in detail and learn when to see a doctor.

Is it Earwax?

Cerumen, commonly known as earwax, plays a crucial role in protecting your ears from infection. This wax moves from inside your ears to the outside when you chew or talk. It then dries and flakes off on its own. However, if you use a cotton swab to clean the inside of your ears, you may push the wax deeper into the ear. This causes earwax buildup, resulting in muffled hearing. It is one of the most common causes of dizziness in the elderly.

Other factors, such as the use of earplugs and hearing aids, can also cause earwax buildup. It is one of the main causes of dizziness in old age. Some common symptoms of this buildup are as follows:

• Earache

• Itchiness

• Discharge

• Ringing

• Odour

• Extreme pressure