Why Do I Hear Better With One Ear Than the Other?
You might have noticed recently that during conversations, you’re having to turn your head a certain way or you’re putting your phone up to your ‘good ear’, sound familiar? Having better hearing in one ear is actually more common than you think, and it’s not something to overlook.
Many Australians wrongfully assume that uneven hearing is just a part of aging, or that unless both ears are affected, they won’t seek help. However, hearing loss in one ear, even a mild difference, can affect your ability to place sounds, follow conversations in loud spaces, and feel confident in social interactions.
In some circumstances, it is an indication of something that usually responds well to treatment at an early stage.
What Causes Hearing Loss in One Ear?
Hearing loss in one ear can develop for a wide range of reasons, and the cause largely determines whether it is temporary or permanent.
On the temporary side, a build up of earwax in one ear canal is one of the most common culprits. It is surprisingly easy for wax to accumulate unevenly, and the result is a muffled, blocked feeling on one side that people sometimes put up with for months before getting it addressed. Middle ear infections, fluid behind one eardrum, and a blocked Eustachian tube can all produce the same one-sided effect.
On the more serious end, causes include Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma (a benign tumour on the auditory nerve), viral infections that affect the inner ear, and physical trauma to the ear or head. These tend to produce a more pronounced or persistent difference between the two ears, and they warrant a proper hearing assessment rather than a wait-and-see approach.
Understanding Unilateral Hearing Loss
When hearing loss is present in only one ear, it is referred to as unilateral hearing loss. The unaffected ear may have completely normal hearing, which is part of why people often live with the condition for a long time without realising the extent of the problem, the stronger ear compensates, masking just how much the other is struggling.
Unilateral hearing loss can range from mild to profound, and it creates specific challenges that differ from hearing loss in both ears. Difficulty determining where sounds are coming from is one of the most commonly reported issues, along with fatigue from the extra concentration required to follow conversations using only one functioning ear.
The condition can be present from birth or develop at any point in life. In adults, it often develops gradually and goes undetected until a formal hearing test reveals the difference between the two ears.
Asymmetrical Hearing Loss: When Both Ears Are Affected, but Differently
Not all uneven hearing fits neatly into the unilateral category. Asymmetrical hearing loss describes a situation where both ears have some degree of hearing loss, but one is significantly more affected than the other. This is different from unilateral hearing loss, where one ear is essentially normal.
Asymmetrical hearing loss is worth investigating because, in some cases, a marked difference between ears can signal an underlying condition affecting the auditory nerve or brain pathways. An audiologist will assess both ears individually and look at the pattern of loss across different frequencies to understand what is driving the asymmetry.
Sudden Hearing Loss in One Ear: Do Not Wait
If the change in your hearing came on suddenly, over the course of hours or a day or two, that is a different situation entirely and requires urgent attention. Sudden hearing loss is classified as a medical emergency in audiology. It is most commonly caused by a viral infection, circulatory disruption to the inner ear, or autoimmune conditions, and the chances of recovery are significantly better when treatment begins within the first 72 hours.
If you wake up one morning and one ear feels blocked, muffled or significantly worse than the day before, do not wait for a GP appointment in two weeks. Seek assessment as quickly as possible.
Signs of Hearing Loss to Watch For
Whether the difference between your ears has crept up gradually or appeared more suddenly, these are the signs of hearing loss worth paying attention to: consistently favouring one ear during phone calls, difficulty pinpointing where sounds or voices are coming from, asking people to speak up or repeat themselves more than before, struggling to follow group conversations, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in one ear.
Any combination of these, particularly alongside a noticeable difference between your two ears, is worth taking to a professional.
Book a Hearing Test in Adelaide
A hearing test is the only way to know for certain what is happening across both ears, and how significant any difference between them is. It is a quick, painless process that gives you and your audiologist a clear picture to work from.
Hearing Matters offers comprehensive hearing assessments across 18 clinic locations in Adelaide and regional South Australia. As a fully independent practice, their audiologists are not tied to any manufacturer or product range, which means their recommendations are based entirely on your hearing profile and what will genuinely work for your life.
Whether you are concerned about hearing loss in one ear, want to understand an asymmetry you have noticed, or simply have not had your hearing checked in a while, booking a hearing test in Adelaide with Hearing Matters is a straightforward first step.
Speak to Hearing Matters Today
Your hearing is worth looking after, and noticing that one ear is not performing the way it should is your cue to act. The sooner an issue is identified, the more options are available to you.
Contact Hearing Matters to book your hearing assessment at a clinic near you, or visit hearingmatters.com.au to find your nearest location across Adelaide and regional South Australia.