Spooky Household Noises Could Signal Hearing Loss, Audiologist Warns
From unexplained knocks to phantom whispers, unusual sounds may indicate underlying hearing issues.
As Halloween approaches, familiar creaks and bumps in the night might spark fear of the supernatural, but an audiologist suggests these sounds could be early indicators of hearing loss. Ash Shah, head of audiology at The Hearing Care Partnership, outlines five common auditory phenomena that may signal a problem.
Unexplained Knocking or Humming
Nocturnal knocking or humming sounds could be a manifestation of tinnitus, Shah explains. While often associated with ringing, tinnitus can present as buzzing, hissing, whistling, or whooshing and is frequently more noticeable in quiet environments. Tinnitus affects approximately one in seven adults in the UK and is more prevalent with age. While tinnitus itself does not cause hearing loss, they can be linked. Shah advises seeking medical attention if tinnitus persists for more than a couple of weeks, or sooner if it occurs in only one ear, pulsates with the heartbeat, or is accompanied by dizziness, ear pain, or discharge.
Auditory Hallucinations
Hearing phantom whispers, laughter, or music, sometimes referred to as Musical Ear Syndrome, may not be a sign of mental distress but rather the brain compensating for hearing loss by filling in auditory gaps. Music is the most common such phenomenon, followed by voices, which are often described as indistinct or repetitive. This is more common in older adults and typically occurs in quieter settings.
Hyperacusis: Everyday Noises Seem Too Loud
Hearing loss doesn't always mean diminished sound; it can also involve an increased sensitivity to everyday noises, a condition known as hyperacusis. Sounds like a kettle boiling or a door closing can seem excessively loud and even painful. Shah suggests this occurs when the brain amplifies the diminished signals received from the ear. Hyperacusis affects between 2% and 9% of the population and is more common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It is also linked to tinnitus.
Recruitment: Rapid Increase in Sound Volume
Similar to hyperacusis, recruitment describes a condition where sounds quickly escalate from very quiet to uncomfortably loud over a narrow range. For instance, a person with recruitment might ask someone to speak up, only to find their slightly louder voice overwhelming. This is attributed to damage in the outer hair cells of the inner ear, which normally amplify quiet sounds and have less effect on loud ones. Damaged cells reduce this amplification, shortening the range between quiet and loud.
Muffled or Distorted Sounds
Scratching or muffled noises can often be attributed to earwax build-up, which affects about one in 20 adults. Symptoms include muffled hearing, earache, a feeling of fullness, and tinnitus. While often treatable with ear drops or professional cleaning, Shah cautions against self-treatment for earwax removal.
Seeking Professional Help
Sudden hearing loss, especially when accompanied by tinnitus, should be treated as an urgent medical matter, Shah stresses, to maximize the chances of recovery. Conductive hearing loss, caused by issues outside the inner ear, is often treatable through methods like wax removal, infection treatment, or surgical intervention for eardrum perforations. Sensorineural hearing loss, resulting from inner ear damage, is permanent and typically managed with hearing aids and potentially assistive listening devices.
Shah recommends regular hearing checks to monitor changes and advises prompt action if issues arise. He also cautions individuals to seek professional care for any ear concerns, rather than attempting self-treatment.