Hearing loss issues

I’ve been battling this cold for three weeks straight... and it just won't quit! For the last week, my ears have basically checked out—I can't hear a thing. There's this intense pressure in them, and when I talk, everything just echoes back at me. I end up speaking softly because people can't hear me, which is incredibly frustrating. I can't even use a nasal rinse because my sinuses are still completely inflamed, and I have no idea how much longer this is going to drag on. My hearing is everything to me—I'm a musician!😢 😢 😢 It feels terrible—like I'm constantly scuba diving at 150 feet. All I can hear is some muffled static and the thumping of my own heartbeat.🙄
Has anyone else dealt with something like this? How did you fix it?

And please: speak up a little—I can't hear you!!!
😁

Yeah, that inflammation probably messed with your middle ear pressure—and honestly, your eardrums might be feeling the tension too. Once the swelling dies down, you should be fine. Don't mess with your ears for now, but definitely focus on clearing out your nose and sinuses. If things don't start looking up soon, go see a doctor.

Truth is, I've been dealing with sinus issues for years now. So, back to the whole sinus treatment cycle again...😢.

thanks, Andrew Anderson6!🙂

Betty Hill82 said:Facts—I've been dealing with sinus issues for years now. So, back to more sinus treatment... again.😢.

thanks, Andrew Anderson6!🙂

If you actually care about your hearing, you should probably get those sinuses sorted once and for all. Even without an actual ear infection, chronic sinus stuff can mess with your ears big time. I literally had my ear start bleeding out of nowhere—no infection or anything—only for doctors to find out my eardrum was under pressure because of my sinuses.

From what I know, doing sinus rinses at home plus seeing a specialist (they usually prescribe corticosteroids) helps a ton. People are split on sinus drainage procedures, but honestly, if you go down that road, you'll probably end up doing it constantly—better to stick with the inhalers/rinses if you can. Also, that NeilMed spray is a lifesaver.

I’m skipping the cauterization—a few people in my neighborhood had HORRIBLE experiences with it. I did one radiation treatment once and it was fine, so I’ll probably go that route again.
It’s interesting: I dealt with ear issues as a kid, but this is the first time they've actually hurt me in twenty years. As for my sinuses, I’ve been struggling since I was thirteen. Basically, the second I catch a cold, I get an infection. Other than that, they're usually fine.

That whole thing about ears bleeding... Yikes. I hear that story all the time, and apparently, it mostly happens while people are sleeping.

For now, I'm going to stick to steam inhalation and my grandma’s old remedy: a few capsules of eucalyptus oil. That always does the trick for me.

But this time, I’m going to be a bit more persistent about getting it fixed.

P.S.: NeilMed spray. I need to remember that. 🙂 I just hope I can actually find it around here.

Betty Hill82 said:P.S.: NeilMed spray. Gotta remember that. 🙂 Just not sure if I can actually find it around here.

Yeah, you can grab it at any CVS. They’ve got different versions—some with copper, some with other stuff—the lady behind the counter will know what's up.

...this might come across as totally weird or even a bit inappropriate, but...

try blowing your nose properly... I read in some medical journals that it can actually help with ear congestion and that dull ache. I gave it a shot myself and it works... I was just getting over a nasty cold a couple of days ago... 😢 😢

amberscout18 said:...this might sound totally weird or even a bit much, but...

just try blowing through your ears... I heard from some medical sources that it helps with congestion and that mild earache feeling. Tested it out myself and it actually works... just got over a nasty cold a couple days ago...😢 😢

🙂 yeah, this is totally fine—it’s what people do on planes, in cars, or whenever your ears pop from pressure changes and stuff... give it a shot. 👍

I know the whole gum-chewing trick works wonders! But this time, it’s doing absolutely nothing, ladies...😢I’ve been chewing like a maniac, but the pressure in my ears is just getting worse....I’m going to lose my mind if this doesn't let up....I tried sneezing and blowing my nose—nothing, zero relief—all I did was spend fifteen minutes doubled over in pain and scaring the hell out of my boyfriend.

Betty Hill82 said:The whole gum chewing thing is a solid tip—honestly, great advice! But it’s doing absolutely nothing for me this time, guys...😢 I've been chewing like a maniac, but the pressure in my ears is just getting worse. I'm about to lose my mind until this clears up... Tried sneezing with a stuffed nose—spoiler alert: nothing happened, except I spent fifteen minutes doubled over in pain and basically gave my boyfriend a heart attack from how much I was panicking.

Betty Hill82, if you're actually feeling PAIN in your ears—you seriously need to get a doctor to look at them. I know people who ended up with an abscess in their ear canal; it hurts like hell and usually requires some pretty heavy-duty antibiotics.

Btw, did you actually have a doctor CHECK your ears yet???

Being stuffed up is one thing when you have a cold, but if there's actual pain involved, go see a pro immediately. Fingers crossed it's nothing serious like an infection. 😉 👍

It’s not a constant pain or anything, just hits me whenever I talk too loudly or try to shout. Is that something I should be worried about?
I've got a doctor's appointment scheduled for tomorrow. He did mention that it's most likely just a common cold (🙄 ).

This might sound totally ridiculous, but honestly, give it a shot.
You can find stuff like this at most drugstores, but I usually just DIY it myself.
Here’s the deal: grab some cloth—something a bit sturdier, maybe like a heavy cotton sheet rather than a terrycloth towel. Melt some yellow beeswax in a small pot (you can pick it up at a local farmers market or even a pharmacy). Soak the cloth in that wax on both sides, using a fork to really work it in.
Then, take a stick or a wooden spoon and wrap the cloth around it to make a little cone shape—just make sure the tip is thin enough to fit into your ear. Ask your mom or someone you trust to help you out by placing it in your ear while you lie down. Pro tip: surround your ear with towels because, trust me, bits of burnt wax *will* fly everywhere. Light the top of the cone and let it burn. Keep a plate handy to catch any debris. It takes about 20 minutes or so to burn through, obviously, so just blow it out if the flame gets too close to your head. Once you unroll what's left, you'll be shocked at how much gunk and resin you pulled out of your ear. Might actually help. My mom used to do this to me for ear infections back in the day. Clears everything out and you'll hear way better, I swear. It's one of those old-school home remedies.

I dealt with the exact same thing about a month ago. It all kicked off with a basic cold, then it just migrated straight to my ears.

The doctors told me fluid from my nose had backed up into my ear canals, and that was the culprit. They just gave me some nasal spray and called it a day—nothing specifically for the ears. They insisted the key was keeping my nose clear.

It took forever, though. Super slow progress. My left ear finally cleared up after maybe 15 days, and the right one definitely took a full month. Meanwhile, the actual cold had been gone for ages.

Trust me, the sensation is absolutely miserable. It totally tanked my productivity too, since I spend most of my workdays in meetings as a freelance translator. I can't even count how many times my boss had to ask me to speak up.

You just have to be patient. That's really all there is to it.

🙂

Rihanna, my doctor told me the exact same thing...

I got some nasal spray and a round of pills to try and get this sinus inflammation under control. My face is actually swelling up because of it too... this time it's an infection in the ducts right under my eyes.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for checking in!
🙂 Especially you, blondie—my doctor just gave me a nod of agreement.
Ankada, I haven't tried what you suggested yet, but I definitely will if my hearing doesn't improve after I finish the meds. thx!😉