Unilateral hearing loss (hearing loss in one ear)
What is Hearing Loss in One Ear?
- Unilateral Hearing Loss: Sometimes called single-sided deafness (SSD) refers to hearing loss in one ear, which can affect your ability to hear sounds clearly from that side. In contrast, bilateral hearing loss is when hearing loss is experienced in both ears.
- Causes: Can be caused by a variety of factors including infections, ear injuries, sudden noise exposure, tumors, or age-related changes.
- Symptoms: Difficulty hearing from one side, challenges in localizing sounds, and trouble understanding speech in noisy environments.
- Treatment: Depending on the cause, treatment options may include hearing aids, medical interventions, or surgical solutions.
Visit a hearing clinic near you to diagnose your hearing loss and receive personalized treatment.
Book a free test for unilateral hearing loss
Symptoms of unilateral hearing loss
Causes of hearing loss in one ear
There are a number of recognized causes of unilateral hearing loss, including:
- Mastoiditis
- Mumps
- Waardenburg syndrome
- Ménière's disease
- Meningitis
- Microtia
- Labyrinthitis
- Measles
- Acoustic neuroma
- Physical trauma
Treatment for hearing loss in one ear
There are many effective treatment options for unilateral hearing loss available, although the results of treatment depend on a broad range of factors and circumstances.
Typical treatments include:
- Hearing aids
- Bone-anchored hearing systems
- Cochlear implants
Book a hearing test to learn about your hearing needs and discuss potential treatment options with a hearing care professional.
Conductive vs. sensorineural unilateral hearing loss
Unilateral conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sounds cannot pass freely through the eardrum or past the tiny bones, known as ossicles, in the middle ear. This is due to a breakdown in the effectiveness of sound waves being sent from the outer ear.
Conductive hearing loss
Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, occurs when there is damage to the hair cells in the cochlea (found in the inner ear) or to the nerve pathways which lead from the inner ear to the brain. A person may also suffer from mixed hearing loss, which is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss
