Why have I gone deaf??

[CobaltRose]

Hi,
I'm 21 years old with no health problems that I'm aware of. About 10 days ago I came down with a cold. About a week ago I woke up one morning to find that I'd gone completely deaf in my left ear. I just assumed it was mucus build up from my cold and it would resolve once my cold did.
However, it's now been a week, my cold is pretty much gone, and I'm STILL deaf. If anything, it's getting worse. I also have a low level ringing/buzzing in my left ear. If doesn't hurt or anything and I can't see any discharge. I just can't hear! I tried flushing out and cleaning my ear assuming I had some major wax buildup or something, but a thorough cleaning made no difference.
Looking back, I've actually had deafness on and off in my left ear for a few months, but it normally resolves within a few hours. It's never lasted this long before or been this severe.

Is this simply a side effect of my cold? If so, how long is it expected to last? It's driving me nuts! Or is it worth seeing my doctor?
Thanks!

[brownelephant]

go to a clear ear clinic.
they will have a look, suck out any gunk and refer you in case something is going on.
about 50£ well spent
ime gp's are useless when it comes to ears.

[SeaLionsOnMyShirt]

Please go to your GP asap and get it checked out. I had almost the same symptoms a few years ago & presumed it was a build up of wax or something similar as I'd also had a bad cold/virus that just lingered on, but it turned out to be Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, and if left untreated, it can be permanent. I was referred to an amazing consultant who managed to treat it in time (steroid injection into the ear! which sounds worse than it was though), but he did say that treatment is less effective the longer you leave it.

It probably is a side effect of your cold or something , but do please go & get it checked with your GP just in case.