Hi,
I'm 36-year old male and about 3-weeks ago I went to my doctor with typical flu-like symptoms. He informed me I had a Respiratory Tract Infection and prescribed some antibiotics and pain killers which I took over the course of the following week. The problem did not clear-up and, after developing a chesty cough and severe pain in one ear, I returned to the doctor who then told me the infection had most likely spread to my chest and most certainly in to my ears - particularly my left one. He prescribed stronger antibiotics and pain killers and a nasal steroid spray, all of which again I took religiously over the following week once again.
Although my cough and general flu symptoms have pretty much cleared up, for the past week or so I have been left with almost complete loss of hearing in my left ear. It feels as if there's still a wee bit of pressure both in and around the ear itself with a sort of numbness when i touch the skin on my face and head around the ear. This extends in to my hair-line, over my left cheek and a short distance down my neck below my ear. There's also a small amount of ringing from within the ear and it sounds as if I'm hearing things "internally" all the time. Hard to explain but extremely frustrating and my concern is that the infection has somehow managed to damage my hearing permanently.
Can anyone offer any advice please?
Thanks in advance!!
Gavin
Might be worth mentioning that during the course of today the numbness described above has expanded from the area immediately surrounding my ear to pretty much the entire left hand side of my face and head and continues to worsen.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Thanks again,
Gavin
I Have this too and all also do several of my friends. Its very strange. The main symptoms are; Ear clogged/Tinnitus, Sore Throat, Cough. Its lasted 4-5 weeks now and is not getting better even after antibiotics. I think its a virus. what are your thoughts? I live in the London Area and as far as I can tell many people have these very unusual symptoms. I think it began with a cold.
Gavin, I have the same problem, can you let me know what helped you please, it is driving me mad!!!
Thanks
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne
I have just recently had the most awful strange 'flu'. Start with complete exhaustion, cough, headache and just sooo..... ill. Never had anything like it. However, I am now nearly completely deaf in right ear - cant bear it. I have never had this before and have read lots of really bad things on the net about permanent hearing loss caused by a virus (seemed pretty common so very nervous). Could you let me know that yours has hopefully resolved?
Hi Lisbet you need to see your doctor and if it's viral and affected your inner ear ask to be referred to ENT doctor. I had a cold and my sinus and glands were swollen, then I lost hearing in my right ear with constant buzzing and pressure in my ear, it's now over 2 weeks and still can't hear, also have slight dizziness, could be Labrynthitus. I have an ENT appt tomorrow, so fingers crossed ok. It can clear and hearing return but it can take weeks apparently, but if the nerves in the ear are damaged not so sure. Hopefully yours will clear.
I have this exact same virus or whatever it is. It started 3 weeks ago, very painful throat and it went up into my ears, mainly my left one. 6 days ago I started an antibiotic and the cough went away but I still can taste this cold in my system and my left ear feels strange and my hearing is strange. Doctor said my ear was full of wax and it was but it still has this strange feeling and there is a ringing in that ear. There seems to be some sort of hearing loss in that ear and a short range of sounds will echo like I was listening through a glass tube. This is the worst virus/flu/infection I have ever had. I'm also in my 30's.
I've had a terrible cold virus for a week now, I thought it was flu, but I've had a flu jab! My hearing has almost disappeared too!! It's certain frequencies with me though....I now feel fine in myself, still sounding 'snotty', just this terrible deafness. Don't know whether I should call the GP??
Sue XX
I am just recovering from this terrible cold virus, and I have almost lost my hearing. I feel fine in myself, still sound very 'snotty'....don't know whether I should phone the GP or not.....
Sue X
hi Gavin, may not be the same but I went through most of what you have. 3 years ago , I was not ill , it was summer time on vacation and out of nowhere I got this buzzing in my ear. Thought it was water from swimming. 3days later went to my go and was put on antibiotics in case an ear infection was brewing. 2weeks later was referred to an ent was put on more antibiotics , singular , and nasal spray. Had pressure in my ear and still ringing. On a follow up visit pressure was gone but I was told there is nothing else he can do . Went for a second opinion , then I was diagnosed with menieres , which is uncureable . Went for a 3rd opinion and same diagnosis . They gave me water pill, diazepam for the attacks ( I loose my balance when the ear feels real full ) . Low sodium diet , avoid smoking ,avoid caffeine . 3years later it's still the same my hearing is distorted in my left ear. Ringing comes and goes. And in nov had 3 attacks. Also they suggested b-complex and ginkgo biloba . There are times it calms down but when it comes back its very frustrating. I hope you don't have this and wish you luck. I am opened to anything anyone can offer that would someday cure this. Keep me posted
I now have what I think is almost complete hearing loss following a bad flu last week. I go to the ENT for an audiogram tomorrow.
My MD said hearing loss following the flu is largely a mystery. She said I should take prednisone. But that it likely would not work - it's just all they have. She does not think it's bacterial but a virus.
I'd like to hear more from others on this forum about their experiences please? What has worked for you? How many of you had hearing return?
Nan
Yeah I've been deaf for a week... Will make another appointment tomorrow. I don't really have any concern that it won't return though... But I'd like to know how long.
Supergav,
I am wondering why you are not concerned that hearing loss might be permanent? I thought it was just a termporary complication of the flu, but with everything I have read - I am concerned. Viruses can attack the ear organ itself. If it causes swelling, the ear nerve can get strangled off from blood supply and die. Hearing is lost at that point - never to return. On the other hand, if the hearing loss is conducive - like a blockage of some kind - it will likely go away on it's own. Unfortunately, Dr's don't have much going for them as far as treatment - for either kind of hearing loss. If it's sensoralneural - with the nerve damage - they want to try high doses of steroids to stop the swelling and hopefully save the nerve. That's what I know so far. And it's scary. I am panicing because it feels like I have 2 pillows up against both ears. My hearing loss is in both ears, not just one. I don't know what to do.
Well if I hum or whatever it's pretty normal, it's just blocked up. I get the feeling it will be for a long time though
.
I think if I read everything "medical" online then I would be super worried as well, facts are that you are pretty damn unlikely to go deaf from flu
Definitely let us know how you get on though. This is another thing, when you read these threads, people eventually stop replying.... I most people would, you stop googling, "Deaf after flu" once your hearing is back......
I had an audio gram and still need to wait 4 weeks for another. The Audiologist said sudden hearing loss from the flu is more common than thought. If you are lucky enough to have the type that is fluid then it will likely go away on it's own. But the other type is like a heart attack for the ear. Damage to the nerve.
Well, no point being pessimistic! Sometimes I can hear all the crud moving around in there, gross. I get private healthcare from work, I'll give them a shout tomorrow. Thanks for the updates, I will keep you updated....
Hiya Nancy. How you doing now? I can hear below 1khz pretty fine now, but >1khz is distorted. It's better every day, but slllooowwww
I'm 17 years old. Recently about 5 days ago. 1st day was a slight head ache.next morning I woke with a runny hose head ache and a discomfort in my right ear. That night my right ear seemed very irritated and my right eye was extremely red. I've been using eye drops which really helps my eyes. and allergy ib profen and Vicks dayquil to help with my ear. So today I woke my ear seemed better than usual but after hearing even low voices or moving around it seemed to maybe swell or feel compressed in a way that my hearing is overcome by a buzz.