Very painful left ear with dulled hearing

[2littlegreenmonkeys]

I have had a head cold since a week last Sunday. About 5 days ago the hearing my right ear became very dulled, although not at all painful. I wear 2 hearing aids and the hearing aid for my right ear makes little difference to it. I thought I was staring to get better, well felt much better, at the beginning of this week, although very snotty and still have a slight cough.

Last night I felt terrible my head was pounding and I just felt awful so had a nice bath and went to bed early.

I woke at about 4.30am ish and now my right ear is extremely painful (the pain is so bad I am in tears almost) the hearing is also very dulled although my hearing aid for that ear does make some difference. Every so often I hear little 'pfttt' sounds coming from the right ear and the pain lessens, then builds up again.
I have had to take some strong painkillers to (codeine) which have for bad joint pain and although my joint pain is not bad at the moment the paracetamol I have taken have had no effect.

The Dr checked both of my ears on Tuesday and said both were clear and to give the left ear a few more days to see if the hearing comes back then go back to see him.

I am in so much agony it is unbelievable, I forgot how much pain ear ache can give you. I am going to ring my Dr at 8am when they open to see if I can get in soon.
Does anyone please have any advice on how to help the pain as the codeine does not seem to be helping (yet anyway)

Hello there, I had this problem last week (ear infection) so I can sympathise. Try ibuprofen, that worked best for me in killing the pain. Please also see GP if you can in case of infection. Get well soon!

Thank you, not sure if I can take ibuprofen on top of the paracetamol and codeine
I'm having a coffee now and swallowing that seems to help temporarily with the pain, I wonder if it is the swallowing action or the fact the coffee is hot.

MIL and her sister are coming this morning to take myself and the DD's out for the day but I may be cheeky to see if they can take the DD's and I pop to the local walk in Dr's as I doubt very much I will be able to get an appointment at my Dr's this week.
I just feel a bit cheeky asking MIL that.

I have just read my PO back I meant my left is is very painful I really need to preview and proof read lol.

belgianbun I have some vicks in thank you I will give that a go

Phew, managed to get a Dr's appointment for 11.20am today...yay.... I did however have to ask the receptionist to shout really loud at me on the phone so I could hear lol.

beligianbun I am still feeling a bit rough TBH, some hearing seemed to come back yesterday but has since gone again overnight. I am scared stiff I am going to loose what little hearing I do have. I have another appointment at the dr's on Friday.

Thank you for asking

You can mix ibuprofen with paracetamol and codeine (as long as the ibuprofen doesn't also have codeine in it).

Ibuprofen is a better drug for you, actually, as it's an anti-inflammatory.

It sounds as if your ear is blocked, so it's weird that your Dr says it's clear. Have you tried putting some olive oil drops in anyway?

becauseImWorthIt thank you o I haven't tired the olive oil drops but will dig it out and give it a go.

I got my ear sall mixed up in my OP lol, my right ear is the one which the Dr and Nurse say is clear and without infection or wax build up, but I literally cannot hear a thing from it. I have terrible tinnitus as well
My left ear is the infected one, sounds like I am underwater. I am terrified that the ear drum has burst (happened in my right and did not fix itself) The anti b's seem to be helping though as there is no longer any discharge from my left ear.

I am so scared I will loose my hearing (what little hearing I have left anyway)

On the bright side the pain has subsided so I no longer need to take the codeine, but will try some ibroprofen.

Thank you