Update to original article published 04/05/2017.
Does it seem like you hear better with one ear compared to the other?
Maybe you’re not sure, but you may unconsciously be doing things like:
- Turning your head to one side when listening.
- Cupping your hand around one ear to hear better.
- Always using the same ear when you’re on the phone.
You may notice tinnitus, a humming in one ear and not the other. (Tinnitus can also be perceived as ringing, buzzing or another sound.) Or you may say, “My hearing is gone in one ear” or “I’ve gone deaf in one ear.”
All of the above may be signs that you’re favouring one ear over the other. It can be an indication of hearing loss in one ear. If this sounds familiar, you should speak with an Audiologist about a hearing evaluation.
What can cause hearing to change in one ear?
Hearing that is worse in one ear can be an indication of a medical condition.
- Cerumen (wax) in the ear canal
- Bone growth
- Growth on the vestibular nerve
- Head injury
- Infection
Sudden deafness—which often affects only one ear—should be considered a medical emergency.
Do we hear the same with both ears?
Not exactly. The way we hear sound begins with our ears and ends with our brain. The sounds we hear with the right ear are interpreted by the left side of the brain and vice versa.
Because we process information differently on the left side of the brain (analytical) versus the right side (intuitive), our ears recognize the difference between types of sound and send those sounds to the corresponding side of the brain. Researchers say that if you’re a left-brain thinker, you most likely hold a phone up to your right ear. And without you knowing it, your left ear will be taking the lead amplifying sustained sounds like music.
Because we process sound differently in each ear, an Audiologist should treat hearing loss in both ears so that we hear sound in a balanced way.
What is otosclerosis?
Otosclerosis, which is abnormal bone growth around the ossicles, the small bones in the middle ear cavity, is a common reason for unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss. This condition will reduce the mobility of the eardrum and significantly limit the ability of the sound waves to be conducted through these middle ear bones.
Do you feel pressure in your ear?
An asymmetrical hearing loss could also indicate a vestibular schwannoma, which is a small, slow-growing benign growth on the vestibular nerve. A vestibular schwannoma is often referred to as an acoustic neuroma. It can cause hearing loss in one ear from pressure on the auditory nerve or dizziness from pressure on the adjacent vestibular nerve. Common symptoms include a feeling of pressure in the ear, as though you have water in your ear, ringing in one ear and hearing loss.
What is sudden deafness in one ear?
Sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), also known as sudden deafness, occurs in one ear in 1/10 people. Often, a person notices SSHL upon waking in the morning, though some may experience a rapid loss of hearing over several days. People with SSHL may become dizzy, experience tinnitus, or hear a “pop” sound before their hearing disappears. Typically, it affects adults in their 40s and 50s.
SSHL is a medical condition that requires immediate treatment. Often people put off seeing help because they think ear wax, allergies or a sinus infection is causing the hearing loss. Early treatment improves the likelihood of recovering hearing.
An Audiologist can diagnose SSHL by conducting a hearing test and determine the next steps for treatment.
What if I favour one ear?
There are several reasons, including common conditions, that hearing can decrease in one ear. However, hearing better in one ear is not normal and should be evaluated as soon as you notice the difference.
If you feel you’re favouring one ear, speak with an Audiologist. Call us at the Broadmead Hearing Clinic: 250-479-2926 or Oak Bay Hearing Clinic: 250-479-2921 or request an appointment online.