You may notice ringing in one ear or that you favor one side when talking on the telephone. Perhaps you struggle to hear your partner in a noisy restaurant. Hearing loss in one ear can be alarming or simply downright annoying. But what causes it, and what can you do about it?
Unilateral hearing loss can occur at birth, or it can come on gradually over time. Sometimes it comes up suddenly.
Hearing loss in one ear could be the result of:
Having a professional understand the underlying cause as soon as possible is crucial to your overall health.
Hearing loss in one ear is more common than you may think. Across genders and ages, around 60,000 Americans have hearing loss in one ear.
| Why Do We Need to Hear Out of Both Ears Anyways? Why does it matter if you can’t hear out of one ear? After all, you have another one that’s working just fine. It’s a valid question, but there’s no doubt that our ears work best as a pair. Hearing out of both ears helps our brain orient to the noises around us, separating crowd sounds from speech. You also need both to locate where a sound is coming from. This is handy in daily life and a necessity in an emergency. |
If sudden tinnitus or unilateral hearing loss occurs, make an appointment with an ENT. There may be a problem that needs immediate attention.
If you’ve been living with one-sided hearing loss for a while now, it’s time to address it.
Treatment directly correlates to the timeline and severity of the loss. You may experience mild hearing loss or severe, referred to as single-sided deafness or SSD. Or, you can be anywhere in the middle.
Some hearing loss is reversible; other times, it’s permanent. But even permanent hearing loss can be bolstered by the right hearing devices.
An audiologist can provide personalized recommendations after accessing your hearing through a series of non-invasive hearing tests. The results will determine next steps, ranging from ear wax removal to a hearing aid evaluation and trial.
You can also make environmental changes and communication tweaks to help you (or a loved one) hear and comprehend the world around them. These include:
Having trouble hearing a specific person? Try asking them to rephrase what they’re saying instead of simply repeating it. Or try asking them to move their hands away from their face (you’d be surprised how visual cues can help hearing and comprehension!)
Protecting your hearing is always a worthwhile endeavor. If you’re going to a noisy event or using a loud instrument (i.e., power tools), wear earplugs or earmuffs or take breaks, giving your ears a chance to rest and recover. When you’re using headphones, make sure to watch the volume. Most devices today can warn you if your headphones are getting too loud.
Related Reading: Protecting Your Ears During Football Games
If you can’t hear out of one ear, make an appointment with your local audiologist. A hearing test can determine the cause and lead to optimal treatment recommendations.
Are you in the Twin Cities area? At SoundGate Hearing, we’re used to hearing issues of all kinds. Visit one of our Minnesota clinics for an expert, empathetic approach to your hearing health.
Until next time,
Dr. Sarah Binfet
Hello, I am Sarah! I have been an Audiologist since 2019 when I received my doctorate degree from A.T. Still University in Arizona and undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. I have a passion to help people with their hearing healthcare. Coming from a family with hearing impaired individuals, I know the importance for personalized hearing care and best Audiology practices. Raised in small town Minnesota, I enjoy my time being outside, on the golf course or on the lake up north. I have 2 young children who keep me on my toes and always laughing.
My name is Brooke, and I have been working at SoundGate Hearing since July of 2023. I love being a part of a team that puts the customers first. Being able to help others has always been a passion of mine. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and traveling.
I have worked in a variety of roles in the hearing industry since graduating from Minnesota State University-Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. I have worked at SoundGate Hearing since 2013 and have substantial experience with both the technical and business sides of the industry. I understand the fundamental need to provide strong support for our patients. I spend my free time away from the office with my active family. I enjoy a wide variety of activities, including travel, hiking, camping, fishing, and all things outdoors. I am a passionate hockey and soccer parent and fan.
Hello, I am Kara, and I am so excited to continue serving the Buffalo area and providing hearing care at SoundGate Hearing. I grew up in SW, MN, in a small town, and I love the sense of community that small towns offer. I have worked at SoundGate since 2019 and love the personalized care this clinic provides patients. In my free time, I enjoy reading, staying active, spending time outdoors, and soaking up as much lake time as I can in our short MN summers.
Welcome! I am Dr. Sarah Binfet and I have been a Doctor of Audiology since 2006. I proudly served Veterans at the Minneapolis VA for nearly 9 years. I established Blaine Hearing Center in 2013 in conjunction with my husband's optometric practice. It has been a wonderful partnership and enjoyable to see each other at work! In 2015, I had the opportunity to grow my practice when I purchased SoundGate Hearing from my mentor, Dr. Wendy Davis. I genuinely love what I do and feel that helping people hear is essential to their quality of life. I believe in creating a welcoming and supportive environment in which the patient and their families can be educated on their hearing loss, hearing aid options, and how to have the best success with their hearing aids. At SoundGate, we deeply care about our patients and their outcomes. We want everyone to genuinely enjoy their hearing aids and the benefits they bring. I am committed to offering my patients the most up to date digital hearing aid technology, which is why I carry a full line of manufacturers. There is no one right hearing aid for everyone. It is my job to help my patients navigate the complex works of hearing aids and decide on which products best meet their needs, goals and budget. I have discovered the benefit of giving patients the opportunity to trial hearing aids out of the office. A hearing aid trial is most helpful in navigating the complex journey of better hearing. A Minnesotan through and through, I was raised in Eden Prairie, MN, received my undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas and my Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Minnesota. When not at work, you will find me cooking, hitting up the newest restaurants and fitting in as much yoga as possible. During the weekend, you will find my husband Rodney and me with our three kids, Evelyn, Jake and Sam, loving the outdoors at our family cabin on Leech Lake. I look forward to meeting you.
My name is Kathy, and I am a Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS) with SoundGate Hearing. I have been in hearing health for 18 years. I am passionate about helping people live their best lives with the best hearing possible. Getting to know patients is a joy for me. My position is a lot like a Nurse Practitioner’s. I am licensed to perform many services to help you while I work with and for the Audiologists for your best care. In my spare time, you will find my husband and I enjoying our three busy grandsons, reading with my book club, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I am so glad to be part of the SoundGate Hearing team.