Freaked out about my ear

[falaff]

Someone please reassure me :(

I've just had flu and during it I woke up with very loud ringing in one ear and with very little hearing in that ear. Like under the water in the bath or stick your finger in your ear level. Also loads of pain.

Had antibiotics for 7 days, flu and pain now gone, but deafness and high pitched ringing haven't improved at all! I have to keep the telly/radio on to drown it out.

Someone please tell me that they've had the same with this recent flu and it went away? I'm panicking and finding it hard to go out :(

It's probably just the after effects of the ear infection op - maybe a burst drum, which is common with infections and takes a few weeks to heal.

Nothing to panic about

It's because there is still snot and swelling in your sinuses/ear tubes (it's all linked) I get this EVERY time I have a cold.
Sit with your face over a bowl of steam a few times a day and consider taking some sudafed decongestant tablets.
If doesn't improve in a few days go to the gp.

Sounds like tinnitus to me, I get this a lot.

Thanks very much. I've got some tablets and will keep taking them, haven't tried the steam but my gym has a steam room so I might try that!

Sorry I'm just really worried about messing up my ears, I went to a lot of gigs when I was younger and even though I wore ear plugs I think I have caused a lot of damage... I got the mick taken out of me the other day because I couldn't hear the high pitched whiny light. Probably my blessing on that one but sent me into a bit of a worry.

DH has this after a cold and the doctor said it was a blocked Eustachian tube. He had to take decongestants like a pp suggested and, although it lasted a few weeks, it did go away.

Had something similar last year. Went to ENT after ringing persisted. Prescribed IV steroids for a few days and it slowly improved.

I played piccolo for years and am sure that it did damage then and am probably going to have residual deafness from that, too.

This happens to MIL and it's her eustachian tube. Usually clears in a couple of weeks but occasionally, needs a nasal spray.

Thank you. Much better news than the tinnitus thread (which I shouldn't have read).

If the ringing stays and you are still concerned, a visit to the GP is worth it. I was initially hesitant to go, but she took it seriously and I was seen that day by the ENT, who was also concerned enough to start the IV cortisone.