Hearing Loss
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Can't hear from my right ear
Can't hear from my left ear
Deafness worse on the left or right
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About the Symptom
Hearing loss describes an individual having difficulty with hearing. It may affect one or both ears and may affect only certain frequencies (pitches). This may be slowly over months to years or acutely. Any acute changes in hearing not due to ear wax should consider seeking medical attention. Hearing loss can be further broken down to trouble getting noise from the outside world to the hearing nerve (conductive) or due to the hearing nerve itself (sensorineural) or due to a mix between the two (mixed).
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Hearing difficulty
Possible Causes
Generally, Hearing loss can be related to:
- Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is the difficulty in hearing noises and can be partial (hard of hearing) or complete (deafness). It may result from eardrum damage, damage to the hearing bones, inner ear or nerve damage, birth defects, trauma, disease, tumors, certain medications, exposure to loud noises, or aging.
- Ear Infection
Infection of the middle ear (area just behind the eardrum) by bacteria or viruses. Contributing factors include nasal obstruction by adenoids and allergic rhinitis. The symptoms can include ear pain or fullness, fevers, and muffled hearing. This is more common in children but can also present in adults. In severe cases, the eardrum may rupture leading to drainage coming out the ear canal.
- Meniere's Disease
Meniere disease is caused by excess fluid in the inner ear. It is characterized by recurring episodes of dizziness, hearing loss, and ringing in the ear (tinnitus). The disorder typically occurs in one ear.
- Cerumen Impaction
- Perilymph Fistula
- MELAS Syndrome
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Hearing loss may be related to these serious diseases:
- Sudden Hearing Loss
Hearing loss that occurs acutely is known as sudden hearing loss. Sudden nerve hearing loss (sudden sensorineural hearing loss) may be due to viral infections, medications, or underlying systemic inflammatory conditions. These can be medical urgencies as they can be reversed with prompt medical attention. Sudden conductive hearing loss may be due viral upper respiratory infections (URIs) resulting in fluid in the middle ear or may be due to obstructing ear wax.
- Noise Induced Hearing Loss
- Perforated Tympanic Membrane
Tinnitus Attack
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Do you have trouble hearing?
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References
Michels TC, Duffy MT, Rogers DJ. Hearing Loss in Adults: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jul 15;100(2):98-108. PMID: 31305044.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31305044/
Hearing Loss - Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
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Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Associates
