Copyright metro
Has this ever happened to you? (Picture: Getty) You’ve just had the hottest orgasm of your life, falling breathlessly back onto your pillow, but there’s just one problem: you can’t hear anything. It sounds a bit alarming, but this is exactly what happens to 34-year-old June*, who shared she goes loses her hearing after climaxing. ‘During particularly strong orgasms my hearing is severely impaired for about five minutes, sometimes longer,’ she says. ‘It feels like my ears are getting blocked but it can’t be removed by yawning, gaping, [or] equalising the pressure. In addition to surrounding sounds being very low, there’s a strong hissing in my ears.’ This began happening a year ago, and June theorised on Reddit that it was ‘blood rushing’ that could hear. Here at Metro, we enlisted the help of medical professionals to find out exactly what’s happening to June post O, and whether it could happen to you… Why can we go temporarily deaf during and after orgasm? ‘It’s called transient tinnitus, and while it might sound like something out of a medical drama, it’s a genuine phenomenon,’ sexual health nurse, Sarah Mulindwa, explains. ‘Think of it as your body’s way of saying, “That was intense.”‘ Our brains can be in overdrive, meaning other functions are neglected (Picture: Getty Images) Now, there are three main reasons why this can occur, in both men and women, the first being a pressure shift in the ear. ‘Orgasms cause a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, which can mess with the delicate pressure balance in your inner ear,’ Sarah, Lovehoney’s sexual health expert, tells Metro. ‘That shift can distort how sound is processed, leading to temporary hearing change.’ Secondly, it’s no secret that during sex our blood is rushing to certain pleasurable body parts, away from our upper half — and there’s a knock on effect. ‘Blood flow can be redirected away from certain areas, including the cochlea, the part of your ear that is crucial to hearing. Less blood equals less clarity,’ the nurse adds. Lastly, temporarily losing your hearing could be down to ‘neural modulation’, or simply put, brain overload. ‘Your brain is doing a lot during orgasm; releasing dopamine, oxytocin, and other feel-good chemicals,’ Sarah explains. ‘In the process, it might temporarily dial down activity in areas responsible for hearing, especially if it’s prioritising pleasure over perception. ‘In short, your brain’s reward system goes into overdrive, decreasing activity in other areas.’ How long can this last? June explains her hearing loss typically lasts for five minutes at a time, and superintendent pharmacist for Pharmica, Ana Carolina Goncalves, tells Metro it doesn’t usually last any longer. ‘It typically resolves quickly and is usually harmless,’ she explains. In Sarah’s experience, ‘it’s usually over before you’ve even caught your breath’. ‘If it lingers longer than that, or keeps happening, it’s worth paying attention. Your body’s trying to tell you something,’ she adds. If you also experience dizziness as well as reduced hearing, you need to see a doctor (Picture: Getty Images) Is it a cause for concern? Of course, if you’re worried, you should see a GP, something both Ana and Sarah recommend. And, if this hearing loss is accompanied by certain symptoms, then seeing a doctor is a must. ‘If you also experience dizziness, ringing, or vertigo, it’s time to book an appointment,’ Sarah adds. ‘Persistent hearing changes after orgasm could point to underlying issues like high blood pressure, circulatory problems (reduced blood flow), or even an inner ear disorder (like Ménière’s disease). ‘It’s not something to panic about, but it is something to monitor. Better safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your hearing.’ High blood pressure (otherwise known as hypertension) is very important to get checked because it puts strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, according to the NHS. This could lead to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease, among other things. Can you stop transient tinnitus from happening? While there’s no failsafe way to stop this from happening, Sarah does have a few tips for keeping the hearing loss to a minimum. ‘Staying relaxed, breathing steadily, and avoiding excessive straining during orgasm might help,’ she explains. ‘If it’s linked to blood pressure or ear pressure, managing those factors, whether that’s through hydration, stress reduction, or even posture, could make a difference. ‘It’s not a guaranteed fix, but it’s a good place to start.’ Most of the time, reduced hearing during orgasm is nothing to worry about (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Is transient tinnitus common? While superintendent pharmacist Ana has seen a few cases of people losing their hearing during sex, that doesn’t mean it’s super common. ‘It’s more whispered about in online forums than written up in textbooks,’ Sarah says. ‘But just because it’s not mainstream doesn’t mean it’s made up! Our bodies are full of quirks, and sex can trigger all sorts of unexpected reactions.’ Orgasms can trigger many other symptoms including amnesia, facial spasms, tears, sneezing, and even shrinking testicles. So, while it’s not something you’ll hear about every day, it’s not unheard of either. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
