Having the ability to hear is a blessing that many don’t fully appreciate until they experience hearing loss, of any degree. Any change in your hearing can be scary, and it can make one open their eyes and take stock on how much they need this gift. We rely on our ability to hear more than we realize. Luckily, not all forms of hearing loss are permanent. So if you, or someone you love, are experiencing hearing loss, be sure to get checked out by a doctor immediately. You might be pleasantly surprised to find out that what you are experiencing is temporary hearing loss. There are a few different causes of temporary hearing loss, so take solace in knowing that this condition may not be everlasting.

Luckily, not all cases of hearing loss are permanent. In some cases, it might be temporary. Your impaired hearing could be a side effect of another underlying condition, but you won’t know until you get checked out by your doctor. In the meantime, learn more about these three common causes of temporary hearing loss to see if one of these conditions may be plaguing you.

Built-Up Earwax- Earwax is not always an issue since the production of earwax is normal and is needed to protect the ears from dirt, dust, and other debris. Typically, your ears are self-cleaning, so the typical person does not need to clean their ears. Earwax will usually fall out of the ear on its own. However, this doesn’t always happen, and a person can experience an overproduction of earwax. On the other hand, others feel the need to insert Q-tips to try to clean their ears. Both cases can lead to impaction of the earwax. When the wax becomes impacted into the ear canal, this causes a blockage that can prevent sound waves from reaching the eardrum. If the sound waves cannot reach the eardrum, you will not be able to hear correctly. If you believe you are suffering from impacted earwax, do NOT attempt to remove the additional earwax yourself. You can make the problem worse, so make sure you see a hearing professional to remove the impacted wax from your ear(s).

Blocked Up Sinuses- When your sinuses are all blocked up from a cold, allergies, or even a sinus infection, your ability to hear can become diminished. When your sinuses are blocked, temporary hearing loss can occur. Temporary hearing loss can happen when you are suffering from sinus troubles because when your sinuses are blocked, that often means your Eustachian tube is also swollen. When the Eustachian tube swells up due to blocked sinuses, the connection between your throat and middle ear can become closed off, affecting your ability to hear. Luckily, colds come and go, but the other conditions can become chronic. So, if you are experiencing this condition for more than ten days, be sure to see your physician.

Medication- if you take medication and you are experiencing hearing loss, you might want to look into the side effects of each to ensure that what you are taking does not cause hearing loss. While this may seem strange, certain medications can affect your ability to hear. Ototoxic drugs, in particular, can damage the ear, which can lead to hearing loss. Especially since this type of medication can damage the cochlea, which plays a vital role in your ability to hear, and without it, you will lose this ability. While this type of medication is more common among the aging population, it still doesn’t hurt to check the side effects of your medication or check with your doctor. In some cases, if your medication is causing you to lose the ability to hear, your ability to hear can return to normal once you stop or change medications. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, so make sure you consult with your doctor before you make any changes to your medication(s).