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Caution: The Common Cold Can Injure Your Ears

Man holding his ear because he has an ear infection that is causing hearing loss.

A study by The American Lung Association states that the normal adult gets up to four colds every year. Although colds are usually minor viral infections, that’s a lot. Whether the virus attacks the sinuses, throat or respiratory system, it can lead to ear congestion, and eventually, an ear infection.

Although most people consider colds harmless, there are a few symptoms you don’t want to dismiss. Scientists have finally affirmed the suspected link between ear infections and the common cold. This discovery is significant, because ear infections are a major contributing factor in the troubling rise in antibiotic resistance.

You Should Never Ignore These Symptoms

Considering that your sinuses and ears are interconnected, it’s not unusual to feel stuffed up in your ears when you’re experiencing a cold. If you’re using a decongestant, and your head is draining fluids, this feeling normally comes and goes. But in only a few hours congestion can develop into an ear infection. This is the reason that if you have pain or discharge in your ears you need to seek professional assistance.

Pain is a hint that your cold is getting worse and can be evidence of inflammation or infection. If you take care of it early enough, you can get a prescription for antibiotics and prevent permanent injury. It can result in eardrum scaring and might damage the cilia if neglected.

Is this very significant? Usually, cold induced hearing loss is only temporary. Damage to your eardrum or cilia, however, can lead to permanent hearing loss…which can lead to other health problems.

Hearing Loss Can Harm Your General Health

Hearing loss has been associated with other health problems, from loss of cognitive capability to depression to an increase in accidents. An increase in healthcare expenses has been associated with loss of hearing by researchers recently. In fact, in just a decade, untreated hearing loss can increase your healthcare costs by 46%.

Loss of hearing can also raise your likelihood of needing to be hospitalized by 50%….and also increase the probability of needing to be readmitted.

It adds up each time your ears take even minor damage. Johns Hopkins discovered that just having slight hearing loss can double your chances of getting dementia. Think about the fact that every time you get an ear infection it can cause scarring that leads to significant hearing loss over time.

Suffering From Pain for Days?

Have you had ear pain for days and neglected it? Get treatment right away. Don’t make the normal mistake of putting it off. There’s a reason why the majority of health insurance companies consider ear pain or indications of an ear infection an emergency. If you feel pain in your ear when you have a cold or after a cold schedule a hearing examination. A professional evaluation can tell you if:

  • you currently have an infection
  • your inner ear is impacted
  • you need to address injury to the eardrum

Discomfort or temporary hearing loss can be caused by an obstruction in the ear which can also be identified by a professional ear test.

Ear pain or chronic loss of hearing are certain signs that you should consult a professional. Schedule an appointment now.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.