From the Guidelines
To manage decreased hearing in your right ear without pain or infection, focus on safety by being aware of your surroundings, especially when crossing streets or driving, as you may miss important auditory cues from that side. This is crucial as highlighted by the clinical practice guideline on sudden hearing loss 1. When interacting with others, turn your head to position your better-hearing left ear toward sound sources during conversations. Consider using assistive devices like a personal sound amplifier for temporary help or a single-sided hearing aid if the condition persists, as suggested in the guideline on sudden hearing loss 1.
Safety Precautions
- Keep your ear clean but avoid inserting objects like cotton swabs that could cause damage.
- Protect your good ear from loud noises using earplugs when in noisy environments.
- If you're having trouble hearing alarms or doorbells, consider visual alternatives like flashing lights.
Professional Evaluation
Schedule a hearing evaluation with an audiologist to determine the cause of your hearing loss, as it could be due to earwax buildup, age-related changes, or other treatable conditions, as noted in the clinical practice guideline 1. The audiologist can guide you on the best course of action, including the potential use of hearing aids or other assistive listening devices, which have been shown to improve hearing and quality of life in patients with unilateral hearing loss 1.
Ongoing Management
While managing at home, be particularly cautious in situations where you need to be aware of your surroundings, such as when walking in busy areas or working with machinery. Regular follow-up with an audiologist is recommended to monitor the stability of your hearing and to assess the benefit of any interventions, as emphasized in the guideline on sudden hearing loss 1. Additionally, considering rehabilitation options such as cochlear implantation for severe to profound hearing loss, or osseointegrated bone conductive devices for single-sided deafness, may be beneficial, as discussed in the clinical practice guideline 1.
From the Research
Self-Management Strategies for Decreased Hearing
- Individuals with decreased hearing on one ear, such as the right ear, without pain and infection can benefit from self-management strategies that focus on safety 2
- Assistive technology, such as hearing aids and accessories, can facilitate accessibility to other devices and satisfy listening and communication needs, thereby enhancing safety 2
- Alternative listening devices, including personal sound amplification products and remote microphone systems, can improve speech intelligibility and may be considered as part of a self-management plan 3
Importance of Self-Management
- Self-management is a promising strategy for managing chronic conditions, including hearing loss, by teaching individuals to identify challenges and solve problems associated with their illness 4, 5
- Self-management involves active participation of patients in their everyday care, including symptom management, medical treatments, and maintaining general health and prevention of progression of medical conditions 6
- Enhancing self-management can improve quality of life, coping, symptom management, disability, and reduce healthcare expenditures and service utilization 6
Safety Considerations
- Individuals with decreased hearing on one ear should be aware of their surroundings, especially in situations where hearing is critical for safety, such as when walking or driving 2
- The use of assistive technology and alternative listening devices can help improve environmental awareness and safety when not wearing hearing aids, such as during sleep 2
- Self-management strategies should prioritize safety and include measures to mitigate risks associated with decreased hearing, such as using visual alerts or vibrating devices to signal important sounds 2