Some people experience hearing loss and mistake it for temporary ear fatigue. However, an ENT specialist, in an interview with "Live Well," warned that this could be a warning sign of hearing loss and should not be ignored.
Dr. Liang Guo, ENT consultant and medical director of Aglow ENT Clinic, part of Beyond Medical Group, explained that ear fatigue refers to a temporary dulling or muffled sensation in hearing after prolonged exposure to loud noise, such as when leaving a concert or removing headphones. This condition usually improves with a period of rest.
"I'm more concerned about lingering symptoms—persistent tinnitus, difficulty concentrating during conversations, or difficulty hearing others speak in the presence of background noise."
Some patients also find they can't hear soft sounds, such as whispers, or that they feel others aren't speaking loud enough. These are often not temporary fatigue symptoms, but early warning signs of hearing loss, and should be evaluated by an ENT specialist as soon as possible.
Dr. Guo warned that if left untreated, hearing loss can worsen over time and become irreversible.
