Welcoming new life is an extraordinary journey, with its ebbs and flows, and pregnancy is a time that brings about a myriad of transformations in a woman’s body. Surprisingly, one area that often goes under-explored amidst the abundant advice for expectant mothers is the profound impact pregnancy can have on hearing.
Today, we’ll explore the interesting link between pregnancy and changes in hearing, offering helpful information for those going through the journey of pregnancy.
Potential Changes to Hearing When You’re Pregnant
Being pregnant means a lot of changes for your body, including how you hear sounds. Hormones are behind a lot of the changes you see during pregnancy, and they also affect your ears! Knowing a bit more about this might help you understand and manage any changes to your hearing while you’re expecting a baby.
How Hormones and Hearing are Linked
During pregnancy, hormone levels, like progesterone and estrogen, go up and these can change the way blood flows in your body, even in the tiny vessels in your ears. This might make some women more sensitive to sounds, and others might hear ringing in their ears (tinnitus). Understanding this helps pregnant moms deal with any surprises in how they hear things.
Tinnitus & Pregnancy
The occurrence of tinnitus during pregnancy, although not universal, can be a startling and potentially distressing experience for expectant mothers. Tinnitus might manifest as persistent ringing, buzzing, or other phantom sounds in the ears.
Engaging in stress-management practices, such as gentle pregnancy-friendly yoga or mindful meditation, can be potent allies in navigating the unexpected waters of tinnitus during pregnancy.
Extra Sensitivity to Sounds When Pregnant
Some women might find their ears are extra sensitive to sounds when they’re pregnant. Regular sounds might suddenly seem really loud or even bother you a bit. Being aware of this can help you find ways to stay comfortable, like using headphones that block out unwanted noise, so sounds aren’t too overwhelming.
Keeping Your Ears Happy During Pregnancy
Knowing what might happen to your hearing during pregnancy helps you stay comfortable and happy during these special months. If you notice changes to your hearing, talk with healthcare professionals like audiologists to make a plan that’s right for you and keep your ears happy.
Need Help? Contact Us Today!
If you are experiencing prolonged nasal congestion and a reduction in hearing, reach out to the hearing care professionals at Anderson Audiology for an exam. We are here to keep your hearing healthy.
If you’d like to discuss further, come in and meet the team at Anderson Audiology. Call us today on 702-997-2964. Alternatively, click here to request an appointment online.