How Regain Hearing After Ear Infection

Ear infections can cause pain and discomfort, including a feeling of pressure inside your ear. Worryingly, you may also experience some hearing loss that can take a while to clear. It is crucial not to ignore any kind of hearing loss. In this guide, we will explain why you may have some hearing loss and the things you can do to regain hearing after an ear infection.

Why Do I Have Hearing Loss After An Ear Infection?

Ear infections are often caused by poor drainage in the eustachian tubes that expose you to a build-up of bacteria. The eustachian tube connects your middle ear to your nose and throat, allowing excess fluid to drain in normal circumstances. You will usually suffer from excess mucus when you get a respiratory infection, a common cold, flu, or allergies.

This mucous build-up can become infected, causing pain, inflammation, and a feeling of pressure. This type of ear infection is known as a middle ear infection or Otitis Media. Middle ear infections are most common in children as their eustachian tubes are narrower, but it is still possible to suffer in adulthood. 

As well as being a prime cause of infection, the build-up and inflammation during an infection can also cause hearing loss. You may lose up to 24 decibels of hearing in an infected ear. An infection that takes a while to clear may cause up to 45 decibels of hearing loss. Your feeling of hearing loss may be similar to when you wear an ear plug.

What Are The Signs Of An Ear Infection?

The HHH gives some clear indicators that you may have an ear infection:

• Pain in your ear
• Fever
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Hearing loss
• Discharge from the ear
• Pressure or fullness inside the ear
• Itching or irritation or scaly skin in and around the ear

An ear infection should resolve itself after three to seven days. You can look after yourself at home by taking over-the-counter painkillers, using a warm or cool flannel against the affected ear, and wiping any discharge away with clean cotton wool. If you have no improvement after three days, you should seek help from your GP. You may be prescribed antibiotics in tablet form or drops if the GP feels it will help.

Ear infections are usually minor and clear up independently or with minor interventions. However, some complications mean you should always seek advice if you are worried about an ear infection.

Healthline explains that an untreated infection can lead to:

• Mastoiditis (an infection that spreads to the bones of the ear)
• Meningitis (a severe infection that extends to the fluid around the brain and spinal cord) 
• a ruptured eardrum
• permanent hearing loss

How Long Can Hearing Loss Last After An Ear Infection? 

Typically, your hearing loss should resolve within a few days of clearing your ear infection. You may need to be patient, but if you are still experiencing hearing loss after a week or two, you may need to seek advice from a GP or hearing specialist.

What Can I Do To Regain My Hearing After An Ear Infection?

Your infection will often clear up on its own or after a course of antibiotics. You should seek further help from your GP if you continue to have a high fever, a lump under the ear, or facial swelling. If the only remaining symptom is hearing loss, you can do some things at home to help regain your hearing.

The most likely culprit for your hearing loss is that your ears are clogged with fluid. You can try the techniques suggested by Help Me Hear to help release the excess that has built up and clear congestion.

• Make a hot compress using a flannel moistened with hot water (not boiling) and press gently over the affected ear a few times each day.
• Take a hot shower to generate steam to clear congestion but avoid getting shampoo or water in your ear.
• Try a decongestant to relieve blockages. You can seek advice from a pharmacist.
• Avoid foods that require excessive chewing, as this action can aggravate a clogged ear.
• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Sleep propped up to help your eustachian tubes to drain.

If you try all these ideas but have no improvement in your hearing, then it is time to seek advice from a hearing specialist. An audiologist will examine your ears and perform a hearing test if required. You may have a build-up of ear wax which they can remove to help recover your hearing.

Can Ear Infections Cause Permanent Hearing Loss?

Most hearing loss after an infection is temporary and can be resolved at home or with interventions such as decongestants or ear wax removal. However, recurring ear infections can lead to issues that can have a permanent effect on your middle ear or ear drum leading to conductive hearing loss. It is essential to seek medical advice if you are suffering from repeated ear infections. Your GP may refer you to see an ENT specialist to carry out further investigations.

How Can An Audiologist Help With Hearing Loss After An Ear Infection?

An audiologist can carry out an examination of your ear as well as perform a comprehensive hearing test. They will advise if you need to see your GP for treatment for any current ear infection. If a build-up of wax is causing your hearing loss, they will offer you a service to remove your ear wax using micro-suction. This mess-free procedure is the safest way to remove excess earwax.

If they determine that you have conductive hearing loss, they will advise you about hearing aid solutions, and they will be able to prescribe and fit hearing aids to suit you and your lifestyle. Please book an appointment with one of our qualified audiologists for a hearing assessment or ear wax removal if you have any concerns about hearing loss following an ear infection. Please get in touch with us at Hearing Health Hub.