Most of us don't think twice about our ability to adequately hear until we notice a problem. Echoing is a common problem that many people experience at one point or another throughout their lifetime. Described as having pressure or cotton balls in your ears, this condition is one that you'll want to learn more about to understand how it will affect your hearing over the long term.

Why Do I Hear Echoing?

The human body is a complex mechanism that uses a complicated series of steps to turn sound waves found in the air into electrical signals for your brain to read adequately. Normally, sound waves move freely from the outer ear through the ear canal and into the eardrum.

However, if this pathway for these sound waves is blocked due to earwax buildup or another unfortunate circumstance, it can prevent the sound waves from reaching the eardrum. This will cause an echoing sound as if you're listening to someone else speaking in a barrel. You may also hear this condition referred to as double hearing from time to time.

Is Echoing a Symptom of Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a common condition that is characterized by a ringing or buzzing sound in the ear. This can proceed non-stop or may come and go over time. Some people who have been diagnosed with tinnitus do report echoing in their ears. Depending on the person, echoing can be described as whistling, buzzing, or even hissing.

The Causes of Echoing

Echoing in the ear can be caused by numerous factors. A physical blockage in the ear of built-up earwax or compression of the sinuses, such as a sinus infection, can restrict the free flow of sound waves to the eardrum. Some other common causes of ear echoing include ear infections, acoustic neuroma, presbycusis, diplacusis, ototoxic medications, and allergies.

Effective Echoing Treatment

The best treatment for remedying echoing in the ear will depend highly on the root cause of the echoing. If the echoing is caused by a physical blockage, like a buildup of earwax in the ear canal, it can be easily removed by a licensed audiologist. If an ototoxic medication is causing the condition, your doctor may prescribe a different medication for you to take. Treating a sinus infection or an ear infection with antibiotics can help to eliminate the infection and stop echoing from happening. It's very important that you seek professional help in diagnosing your ear echoing so that they can formulate the best treatment to handle the root cause of your hearing condition.

Contact Us

If you're experiencing an echoing sound in your ear, then it's time to contact us. Let our licensed hearing care specialists assist you with your hearing-related needs.

Resources:
https://www.connecthearing.com.au/blog/hearing-and-hearing-loss/what-causes-echo-in-ear/