Moderate dehydration can temporarily affect hearing.
My habit, as an old long-retired person, is to play classical music from BBC Sounds (usually) in the mornings. And sometimes it doesn't sound very good at all. I might blame it on being poorly recorded (all of the recordings?), or maybe I've slept on my ear and it has turned Off?
Such was the case yesterday morning. There were some recordings of the WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne, who I know have competent sound engineers - and they sounded terrible. Ragged string section, distorted highs. Not what I expected - unlistenable.
Now a while ago I saw somewhere that dehydration can affect the hearing, but I usually have plenty of fluids during the day. Usually have a coffee or a beer in front of me. So that couldn't be the cause, could it? However, I had been drinking less fluids in the previous few days, for various reasons. So I went and had a few glasses of water to test out this theory.
Later in the day I replayed the WDR Symphony Orchestra offerings and they now sounded good - a pleasure to listen to.
I can't find a good link to explain the link between hydration and hearing but I asked four different AI systems if mild dehydration can affect hearing and they all said something similar to this -
Inner ear fluid balance: The cochlea relies on tightly regulated fluids (endolymph/perilymph). Fluid and electrolyte deficits can alter mechanics, causing muffled hearing, tinnitus, or ear fullness.
Reduced cochlear blood flow: Lower plasma volume can transiently impair hair-cell function, especially at high frequencies.
Indirect middle-ear effects: Thicker mucus may worsen Eustachian tube function, adding a “blocked” sensation.
Although I usually drink quite a bit during the day I reckon I'm sometimes just topping up a low hydration level? This morning I listened again to the WDR and it still sounded fine, so maybe my level is still good. Maybe I've spent thousands more than I needed on audio equipment?
Anyone else found that music doesn't sound as good in the mornings?
edit: found a decent link -
americanhearing.us
My habit, as an old long-retired person, is to play classical music from BBC Sounds (usually) in the mornings. And sometimes it doesn't sound very good at all. I might blame it on being poorly recorded (all of the recordings?), or maybe I've slept on my ear and it has turned Off?
Such was the case yesterday morning. There were some recordings of the WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne, who I know have competent sound engineers - and they sounded terrible. Ragged string section, distorted highs. Not what I expected - unlistenable.
Now a while ago I saw somewhere that dehydration can affect the hearing, but I usually have plenty of fluids during the day. Usually have a coffee or a beer in front of me. So that couldn't be the cause, could it? However, I had been drinking less fluids in the previous few days, for various reasons. So I went and had a few glasses of water to test out this theory.
Later in the day I replayed the WDR Symphony Orchestra offerings and they now sounded good - a pleasure to listen to.
I can't find a good link to explain the link between hydration and hearing but I asked four different AI systems if mild dehydration can affect hearing and they all said something similar to this -
Inner ear fluid balance: The cochlea relies on tightly regulated fluids (endolymph/perilymph). Fluid and electrolyte deficits can alter mechanics, causing muffled hearing, tinnitus, or ear fullness.
Reduced cochlear blood flow: Lower plasma volume can transiently impair hair-cell function, especially at high frequencies.
Indirect middle-ear effects: Thicker mucus may worsen Eustachian tube function, adding a “blocked” sensation.
Although I usually drink quite a bit during the day I reckon I'm sometimes just topping up a low hydration level? This morning I listened again to the WDR and it still sounded fine, so maybe my level is still good. Maybe I've spent thousands more than I needed on audio equipment?
Anyone else found that music doesn't sound as good in the mornings?
edit: found a decent link -
Can Dehydration Affect Your Hearing?
Discover how dehydration and hearing loss are related. Learn what you can do to protect your hearing health.
americanhearing.us
Last edited:
