loss of hearing following a virus

[heididrink]

I have now lost my hearing for almost 3 weeks and it is driving me mad.
Had a nasty flu type virus which is clearing up but no sign of my hearing returning.
At first it was a bit of a joke now but now I am finding it increasingly isolating. I struggle to hear conversations and so I have become a recluse as I really cant hear anything other than very muffled sounds.
Does anyone have any experience of this ?
I have seen my Gp who has bombarded me with stuff to try but nothing is working.
Any ideas on what I can try other than ear and nose drops ?

A referral to an ENT specialist?! I would not leave it too long.

I should have said I have been referred to ENT but no sign of appointment yet.
Just looking for a miracle I suppose.as I am not a good patient

I don't blame you! I wouldn't be either. Could you pay up privately? Otherwise, I would be trying to get in with the consultant's secretary and saying that you are effectively deaf and could you be prioritised please?

Have you been given antibiotics for any infection?

I started getting this at 29 after colds and it is most annoying. Have you tried clearing it out by holding your nose closed and then breathing out quite hard through your nose for as long as you can? I forget the name for this technique but it will open up the little valve that links your middle ear to your throat to help the yuk drain. If you get popping that's a good sign it's working.

you are right I think I just needed someone to give me permission to get more pushy about my appointment
Off to phone my GP to discuss options ...........in a very loud voice obviously

Snap! Went down with the virus on about 3rd January. Went deaf in L ear after a few days. Could just about manage but only have partial hearing in my R ear.
Then lost hearing in the R ear aswell,not funny at all. However, after 4/5 days of total deafness the L ear 'popped' and I have hearing on that side again.

It is often due to blocked eustachion tubes which link the nose to the throat. The middle ear can also be full of fluid.

I was told by someone very good at working the system that the secretaries are the "gatekeepers" and, if you can build up a good relationship with the consultant's secretary, that is the way forward. Not sure there is much the GP can do within the NHS.

I hate to be the voice of doom but I had a child with glue ear that was causing significant developmental delay and it still took nearly 3 months to be seen by an ENT. While annoying OP, your case is probably not a priority and being pushy if there aren't spaces probably won't help.

Blocked ears do often clear up on their own.

'Blocked ears do often clear up on their own.' They can often do with a little help though, decongestants can help if it is due to fluid/snot/mucus and gargling with salty water can help if the throat is swollen.
I tend to get this every year and know that it's not an ear infection,if yours is painful please go the the GP again.
I was lucky with L ear but I know that the R ear could take weeks :(

Quite. So not a huge priority for an ENT but GP should be doing more.

I forgot to add in adults it clears up quite quickly. In children they can get a bit gluey and need grommets.