PLEASE help me :( I can't hear properly suddenly

[Esmerelda01]

Last night I got a really weird sensation as I was watching TV, like there was water in my ears. It felt odd but I assumed it would be gone today.
Today I've woken up and in both ears I can barely hear. Its like somebody has put cotton wool in them and every single noise is vibrating through my head. My kids hitting their spoon on the cereal bowl, the sound of my own footsteps, my husband dragging a chair across the floor. Its stopping me in my tracks and making me grab my head as its so loud, but I cant hear normal noise properly. I'm stressing big time. Im in tears. Have never known anything like this!
Im 32 and in very good health.
Please help!

Wax

Conjested sinuses?

I dont feel unwell or like I have any congestion.
If it is wax could it suddenly affect both ears at the same time?

This happened to me recently in one ear. Had the sensation of being underwater with all sounds muffled and weird.
Apparently it was because I had an ear infection and some type of ear fungus. . Doctor gave me some ear drops and antibiotics and two weeks later everything was better.

Thanks Neuwander. Do you think this is something I could see a doctor for today? Or would you wait till Monday? I cant concentrate, keep shouting at my kids as every noise is so loud its unbearable yet I can't hear them when they talk to me. I'm going insane already!

Have you tried 111?

111. May be an inner ear infection.

Also had this and then my ear drum burst. Doctor was surprised I wasn't in pain beforehand but the pain waited til after. Ouch! Ear infections are horrible.

I had this a few weeks ago, but just in one ear. It was an infection and got quite painful quite quickly. I called 111 who recommended a visit to local walk in centre for antibiotics - it took drops and oral antibiotics but pain has gone I'm just waiting for underwater sensation to go.

Good luck - don't underestimate it, I found it v exhausting not being able to hear

I get this when I have a cold sometimes, even when I have barely any other symptoms

I would go as soon as you can. I waited almost a week to go because I hoped it would go away on its own, and because it didn’t exactly hurt, just uncomfortable and made me partially deaf. Retrospectively I would have gone earlier... eardrums are sensitive and you wouldn’t want any serious damage.

Thank you all. Just spoken to 111 and they said a local health care service will call me back within 12 hours to prescribe over the phone or make me an appointment.
If it's an ear infection can they tell by looking, if I am in no pain?
Thanks again

My husband had this and it was just earwax - good you're seeing the doctor though, but you might just need your ears syringed

Happened to me. It was a build up of wax. I used olive oil for a few days then syringed them myself. Worked great.

Thanks. If its wax is it normal to be both ears? Same with an infection?

Yes I think they can tell by looking. The otoscope should pick up any swelling etc

Im just back from out of hours.
I'm so confused. The dr couldn't see any sign of infection but said my left ear drum is extremely stretched. He said this is usually bought on by pressure from sinuses but when he pressed them they weren't tender and I dont have congestion or a cold etc. He gave me a steroid nasal spray.
Went to the pharmacy and the pharmacist called mr aside to check im aware if nosebleeds with the spray. We discussed the reason id been given them and she said that in her opinion I really do need antibiotics and should to back! She reckons the nasal spray will do nothing
Im so stuck and its getting worse by the hour. The pressure is unbearable.
I took the spray and have used it. Its only once a day

It does seem like a sinus issue as opposed to infection but that said I haven't assessed your ears. Try warm compress on the ear and use some menthol oil in hot steam bowl towel over head etc three times daily. Massage the outer ear by the tragus (look on google for area) and massage firmly. Even if infection guidelines are that most clear within a week and antibiotics are not necessary. I'm hoping the pharmacist is aware of anti microbial resistance (our next huge Heath issue in the future) and worsening contact gp again. Hope it eases off for you.

Also any sudden hearing loss that completely cuts your hearing or you develop pain or swelling behind the ear (mastoid region) you must seek urgent advice. I take it no recent injury/trauma to head.