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[Machair]

Having a very bad ear infection at the moment. Been to the doctors and on antibiotics. Had the blocked ear for a week first so waited before going as most are viral and I had bad hay fever. Still deaf but some crackling noises periodically. Haven't had ear infection for years- anyone shed light on how long it takes to recover and for hearing to return? I remember when I had one before I was still deaf after antibiotics finished for some time. She said to go back if not right so will do so if things don't settle.

[Cazikins]

Hi Machair,
I had 2 ear infections earlier in the year & had antibiotics in tablet form for the first one but when I got another infection about 2 months later I had antibiotics in ear drop form.
I suffer from tinnitus & a bit of hearing loss anyway so didn't notice any extra hearing loss because of the ear infection, just excruciating pain! Have you got any pain or discharge coming from your ear?
What I did also notice was that my sense of smell & taste disappeared for about 3-4 weeks.
Keep an eye on it & don't let it go on for too long if it doesn't clear up properly.
Hope your hearing comes back soon - I suspect it wont be long if you are getting crackling noises.
Love Cazi x

[Machair]

Hi Cazikins,
Thank you for your reply, it is so kind of you and really appreciated.
Yes the ear has been discharging yellow and brown gunk - doctor said to be expected but not to clean it with cotton buds but to let it drain. Pain has subsided now, but yes taste and smell are absent.
Did you have ear discharge?
How long did it take to feel the ear was better?

[CLKD]

 

[Cazikins]

I only got discharge when I started on the ear drops, which could have been the drops itself I suppose but it did change colour from orange to white 
The ear was still hurting after the week of using the ear drops, but it did subside in the following week.

I have to have an operation as I have a suspected cholesteatoma:

 A cholesteatoma is an uncommon abnormal collection of skin cells inside your ear.
Left untreated, it can continue to grow and damage the delicate structures deep inside your ear, such as the tiny bones and organs essential for hearing and balance.
A cholesteatoma can lead to:
an ear infection, causing discharge from the ear
hearing loss, which can be permanent
vertigo (the sensation that you, or the world around you, is spinning)
tinnitus (hearing sounds coming from inside the body, rather than from an outside source)
damage to your facial nerve, causing weakness in half your face
In very rare cases, an infection can spread into the inner ear and brain, leading to a brain abscess or meningitis.

But for me this is more due to an upper attic retraction & a dysfunctional Eustachian tube than an ear infection so don't worry about that unless you get several ear infections.

Cazi x

[Machair]

Oh dear Cazi that is pretty grim. Have you got any symptoms now or is it because you had several infections?

[Cazikins]

Hi Machair,
Apart from the ongoing tinnitus & slight deafness not any other symptoms originally.
It is difficult to diagnose apparently & it seems to be more a case of eliminating other possible things???
I have been under the hospital ENT dept for about 5 years now because of tinnitus, it was then they told me about the Eustachian tube not working right, which caused a problem with the pressure etc. Then they found the upper attic retraction so cholesteatoma was always on the cards I suppose.
I do feel that it has got worse since the 2 ear infections as I now get a stuffy nose, then I get nasal drip, then a dry mouth.
Cazi x

[Annie0710]

You poor thing.  I suffered both ear drums bursting over new year just gone.  Completely lost my hearing for 11 days.  Allergic reaction to the ABs so they wouldn't prescribe any others.  Jan 1 first one burst then other burst overnight.  I'm still having problems now.  I was given steroid nose drops, ear drops and was seeing ENT until he discharged me in June saying no more he can do for me.  I've not regained full hearing and have to continually pop my ears as the pressure builds up from my neck upwards.  Tinnitus is worse than it was before all this.  Oh and when I lost my hearing in both ears I developed musical tinnitus ! That went as soon as some of the hearing started coming back

Maybe ask gp to refer you ?

[Machair]

Annie that is dreadful. You poor thing that must have been a horrid start to the New Year. I will certainly ask for a referral if it doesn't resolve. I think I have a few days left to see what happens as only got the ABs on Thursday. I'm expecting deafness to last for a while as that happened before a few years ago.

[Annie0710]

I started getting tight chest Boxing Day so that week went to Drs as I have asthma, but he said it's viral.  By New Year's Day my sinus' were really hurting then woke up next day with ear ache (only had I prior ear infection when I was a kid), out of hours didn't want to know so went gp day after, they'd both burst by that time and he said it was chest, sinus and ear infections

It's more annoying now than painful and audiologist kept saying the pressure in my ear drums are wrong from her thing she puffs in them but consultant dismissed it.  It is definitely pressure because of this popping I have to keep doing otherwise I can't hardly hear anything !

[CLKD]

Could you see what air crew do to ease pressure whilst flying?  Lots of swallowing by sucking sweets perhaps? 

[Machair]

Great idea I'll try that!

[Cazikins]

How is the ear now Machair?

[Machair]

It is improving slowly thank you. I felt very ill for several days and was rather hesitant about going out to a concert last night, but I had booked it months ago and didn't want to miss it. There is now some crackling so I think fluid may be finally starting to shift and slight return of hearing is beginning.