What is unilateral hearing loss and how to treat it

Unilateral hearing loss refers to impaired hearing in one ear. In some cases, a profound type of hearing loss in one ear may also be called single-sided deafness. While unilateral hearing loss may often be viewed as minimal hearing loss - after all, you can still hear in your other ear, right? - hearing loss in one ear can have quite an impact on your daily routine. 

If you believe you are living with hearing loss but aren’t quite sure where to start, a hearing screening can be a great first step. However, if your hearing loss has come on suddenly, be sure to contact your doctor. Sudden hearing loss may indicate a more severe condition and should be treated immediately.

If you’re living with hearing loss in one ear but feel your “good” ear is enough, you may be tempted to delay seeking help. But there’s a reason we have two ears - and it’s not just for looks. Your ears actually work together to create a balanced, natural and clear sound. Hearing from both sides also means better identifying where a sound is coming from, keeping you safer and more aware of your surroundings.

Book an appointment with one of our hearing centers to get your hearing tested for unilateral hearing loss.

There are several unilateral hearing loss causes, and this condition can affect people of all ages. It can occur both suddenly or gradually overtime. Causes of unilateral hearing loss include exposure to a loud noise in one ear, genetics, ototoxic medications, earwax, or viral or bacterial infections. In rarer cases, a tumor on the auditory nerve can also lead to hearing loss in one ear. 

Unilateral hearing loss affects the ability to perceive sound direction and location because it interferes with the way the brain processes auditory information from the two ears. This type of hearing loss can cause difficulty in distinguishing sounds in noisy environments and reduce overall hearing efficiency.

The most common signs and symptoms of unilateral hearing loss include:

• Difficulty hearing in one ear
  An individual may have trouble hearing sounds coming from one side, such as someone speaking on their affected side, and will often ask for others to talk in their “good” ear. With this single-sided deafness, they may also have difficulty determining where sounds are coming from.
  
  
• Tinnitus
  Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is often a sign of unilateral hearing loss and is most commonly experienced in the affected ear.
  
  
• Dizziness or balance problems
  One of the common symptoms of unilateral hearing loss is a disturbance in the sense of balance. This can result in feelings of dizziness or unsteadiness, making it difficult to maintain balance or walk straight. This happens because our ears play an important role in helping us maintain our balance.

It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, as early detection and treatment can greatly improve hearing outcomes. Your doctor may refer you to a Hearing Care Professional for a hearing screening and other diagnostic tests to determine the cause and severity of your hearing loss.

There is no magic formula to prevent unilateral hearing loss, but there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Protect your ears from loud noises
  Loud noises, such as concerts, loud music, and industrial or construction noise, can damage your hearing over time. To reduce your risk, it's important to limit exposure to loud noises and wear protective gear, such as earplugs, when necessary.
  
  
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle
  Good health practices, such as not smoking, avoiding certain medications that are known to damage hearing, and managing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can help protect your hearing.

• Seek prompt medical care for ear infections or ear inflammation
  Untreated ear infections can sometimes lead to sudden unilateral hearing loss. Getting medical care quickly lowers the risk of permanent hearing damage.

• Get regular hearing check-ups
  Regular hearing screenings can detect any hearing loss early on, allowing for prompt treatment and reducing the risk of further damage. We recommend scheduling a hearing screening with a Hearing Care Professional to ensure your ears are in good health.

The specific cause of your unilateral hearing loss will determine the best treatment option. In the case of wax buildup, the wax can be removed to address the associated hearing concerns, or your Hearing Care Professional can remove the wax at a hearing care center near you.

Other causes, including viral or bacterial infections, may be treated with antivirals, antibiotics or steroids. However no matter the cause, it is important to treat your hearing loss for better hearing wellness and lifestyle outcomes.

There are times, however, that unilateral hearing loss may be permanent. If this is the case, your Hearing Care Professional can help you find ways to manage your hearing loss.

For many, hearing aids specially designed for unilateral hearing loss are an effective way to improve everyday hearing and support your long-term hearing health. Such examples include CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signals) and bone conduction hearing aids.

An audiogram is a visual representation of a person's hearing ability, showing the quietest level of sound they can hear at different frequencies (pitches) on a graph. In the case of unilateral hearing loss, there will be a larger discrepancy between the hearing abilities of each ear. One ear will indicate normal hearing abilities, while the other will indicate a certain level of hearing loss. This discrepancy helps identify the type of hearing loss and guides the most appropriate treatment option.

The audiogram will also provide more information on what type of treatment or hearing devices could work for the hearing aid wearer, such as CROS, regular or bone conduction hearing aids.

The audiogram below demonstrates what a unilateral hearing loss could look like. The left ear, indicated by the blue line with an X, shows normal hearing, where as the right ear, indicated by the red line and O, shows a hearing loss within the higher frequencies.

Book an appointment with one of our hearing centers to get your hearing tested for unilateral hearing loss.