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Original poster

Can hearing loss be treated?

18 replies

PinkPlantCase · 12/05/2022 11:30

I’m in my late 20s, DS started nursery earlier this year and we had lots of nasty bugs, one particularly bad cold really impacted on my heating.

Its been about 2 months since the offending cold and I still can’t hear well, nothing hurts, but I need the volume higher on the tv and in the car than everyone else and I struggle to hear people talk sometimes.

I haven’t gone to the GP yet because I thought it would get better on its own, now it hasn’t but I don’t know if hearing loss can actually be treated? Eg. Is the only option hearing aids.

OP posts:
muppamup · 12/05/2022 11:31

you might have some wax or something in your ear or an inner ear issue or anything really. don't be scared to go to the GP. at your age it's less likely to be anything permanent.

sotired2 · 12/05/2022 11:33

I think you need to see GP and perhaps have a referral to an ENT doc as sometimes it can be treated and sometimes not depending on reason for loss. Could be as simple as ears just needing sucking out of gunk.

KissedintheDark · 12/05/2022 11:33

It depends on the cause, op. Your hearing is very precious and 2 months is a long time to have hearing loss. Please see your gp and ask to see a specialist, NHS or private.

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Bluevelvetsofa · 12/05/2022 11:41

Good luck with trying to get a hearing test. GPs aren’t doing them, you have to get an electronic form sent to Specsavers, then ring a number and they might get back to you. I’ve been round and round between the surgery and Specsavers for three weeks and am no further forward. The wait for ear wax removal, according to Specsavers, is 16 weeks, but you can have it next day if you can pay. I’ve given up.

ItsSnowJokes · 12/05/2022 11:48

It depends on what frequency and range of hearing loss. I have hearing loss that cannot be cured with hearing aids so I have had to learn to compensate for it with self taught lip reading (made much harder in the pandemic), subtitles on the TV, asking people to speak louder and explaining I am partially deaf etc...... I do feel very isolated in a very noisy environment as I also have tinnitus so I just take myself off and give up unless it's a 121 conversation in a quieter location.

Mine was caused by a burst ear drum 5 years ago. It is getting worse sadly so I may have to try and learn sign language and hope others will have as well! Unlikely that they will have, but it may help in a busy work environment or I ask for a sign language interpreter. I am embarrassed about it as people don't seem to have the patience about it, the amount if tuts I get when I ask for something to be repeated.

Original poster
PinkPlantCase · 12/05/2022 14:32

Thanks all, looks like I need to get in at the GP. Tempted to go for a hearing test at boots or something so that I have that behind me for when I go and see them.

OP posts:
amicissimma · 12/05/2022 15:11

I had a similar problem. The ENT people diagnosed some horrible incurable problem, but after 18 months of mometasone nasal spray, it cleared. Don't lose hope!

I have hearing problems anyway, so was happy that this wasn't added to them permanently.

pollyputtheteapoton · 12/05/2022 15:25

@ItsSnowJokes Can you afford to see a private audiologist? I was told by the NHS that hearing aids wouldn't help (low frequency hearing loss) but I saw a private audiologist who said he could, lent me hearing aids to try for three months whilst he tweaked the settings, and they're fabulous! Cost me about £1600 for the pair and all the before/after service.

ItsSnowJokes · 12/05/2022 15:33

pollyputtheteapoton · 12/05/2022 15:25

@ItsSnowJokes Can you afford to see a private audiologist? I was told by the NHS that hearing aids wouldn't help (low frequency hearing loss) but I saw a private audiologist who said he could, lent me hearing aids to try for three months whilst he tweaked the settings, and they're fabulous! Cost me about £1600 for the pair and all the before/after service.

I wish I could afford it! Sadly currently not a hope in hells chance! I have the same as you, its low frequency hearing that I have lost the most of. I also have mild high frequency hearing loss but that's not that significant according to the Dr I saw. It could be something to save up for though, as it would dramatically change my lifestyle. I am getting more and more isolated outside of my close family as its so stressful trying to keep up with conversations when out and about with friends that I just give up. I would probably be more involved at work when I am in the office as I would be able to keep up with conversations more. I have given up asking people to look at me more when we are in a group conversation at work as they always tut as well (which I get is frustrating for them as it doesn't help the flow of a group meeting). Just having a day where I am feeling sorry for myself I suppose. Feeling isolated can be a lonely thing and unless you have been through it (like yourself) people just don't get it.

tanstaafl · 12/05/2022 15:39

@PinkPlantCase
is it both ears or just one?
is it higher frequencies or lower?

simple test, if you quickly rub your dry fingers together right next to each ear, does it sound the same?

Bells3032 · 12/05/2022 15:49

If it was during a cold it's likely to be either wax or a perforated ear drum both of which can be dealt with.

Obv no one can tell you whether it can be fixed until you know what it is so please see the gp

tanstaafl · 12/05/2022 15:53

Can you call your audiology dept direct and see what they advise.
you may be able to self refer directly to them

EatingToast · 12/05/2022 16:10

Same happened to me last year. GP said trapped fluid. Wouldn't refer to ENT until 4 months but prescribed steroid nasal spray. Spray made no difference but hearing inexplicably came back around the 4 month mark. Don't lose hope.

KissedintheDark · 12/05/2022 21:29

ItsSnowJokes · 12/05/2022 15:33

I wish I could afford it! Sadly currently not a hope in hells chance! I have the same as you, its low frequency hearing that I have lost the most of. I also have mild high frequency hearing loss but that's not that significant according to the Dr I saw. It could be something to save up for though, as it would dramatically change my lifestyle. I am getting more and more isolated outside of my close family as its so stressful trying to keep up with conversations when out and about with friends that I just give up. I would probably be more involved at work when I am in the office as I would be able to keep up with conversations more. I have given up asking people to look at me more when we are in a group conversation at work as they always tut as well (which I get is frustrating for them as it doesn't help the flow of a group meeting). Just having a day where I am feeling sorry for myself I suppose. Feeling isolated can be a lonely thing and unless you have been through it (like yourself) people just don't get it.

Show quote history

Sorry you're in such a rotten situation. Losing you hearing is a very little understood disability really and some people don't seem to have much sympathy or patience with sufferers which makes being so much harder to live with.
Are the charities for the deaf any help with funds for better hearing aids, do you know?
Flowers

vipersnest1 · 12/05/2022 21:41

My thought is it could be glue ear. It's perfectly possible to get it as an adult - I did and ultimately had grommets.
It's something you should get investigated.

superplumb · 13/05/2022 08:27

Currently have this in my right ear. Regularly get them micro suction as I have narrow ears apparently. Still hasnt helped so I've been referred to ent clinic. Currently waiting. My right ear has always been weaker but it's got worse since a nasty cold around feb time. If I were you, pay to get them cleaned before seeing a gp otherwise they will just have a look, blame wax then you go back round in circles. I pay 65 for both ears.

Original poster
PinkPlantCase · 13/05/2022 08:30

I think the left might be slightly worse than the right but I hadn’t really noticed until I tried to figure out if they were the same or not, I think somethings off with both.

How unpleasant is ear cleaning as an experience? Does it take very long?

OP posts:
user1474315215 · 13/05/2022 08:35

I think glue ear could be a possibility too - my Mum had grommets in her 70s and it made a huge difference.

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