Otitis media is the medical term for what you most likely call an ear infection. Ear infections are very prevalent after a cold or sinus infection and they don’t only affect children but also adults. You can even get an ear infection if you have a bad tooth.
Just how long will loss of hearing last after an infection of the middle ear? To find a precise answer can be somewhat complicated. Ear infections have a lot happening. To understand the risks, you should learn more about the harm these infections can cause and how they affect hearing.
Exactly what is Otitis Media?
Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear basically. Bacteria is the most common cause, but it could be caused by any type of micro-organism.
It’s what part of the ear the infection appears in that defines it. Otitis externa, otherwise known as swimmer’s ear, is an infection of the pinna or outer ear. An inner ear infection, also called labyrinthitis is brought about by bacteria in the cochlea.
The area behind the eardrum but in front of the cochlea is referred to as the middle ear. This area houses the three ossicles, or tiny bones, that vibrate the membranes of the inner ear. An infection in this area tends to be very painful because it puts a lot of pressure on the eardrum, usually until it actually breaks. That pressure is also why you don’t hear very well. The ear canal can be obstructed by infectious material which will then cause a loss of hearing.
A middle ear infection has the following symptoms:
- Drainage from the ear
- Pain in the ear
- Diminished ability to hear
Eventually, hearing will come back for the majority of people. The ear canal will open back up and hearing will come back. The issue will only be resolved when the infection gets better. There are exceptions, however.
Repeated Ear Infections
Ear infections affect most people at least once in their lifetime. The problem can become chronic for some people and they will keep having ear infections. Chronic ear infections can cause problems that mean a more significant and possibly permanent loss of hearing, especially if the issues are neglected.
Conductive Hearing Loss Caused by Chronic Ear Infections
Conductive hearing loss can be caused by chronic ear infections. As a result, the sound waves going to the inner ear are not loud enough. By the time the sound reaches the tiny hairs in the inner ear, they are amplified by the elements of the ear canal and reach their maximum power. With a conductive hearing loss, something changes along that route and the sound isn’t amplified quite as much.
When you get an ear infection, bacteria are not just laying in your ear doing nothing. They must eat to survive, so they break down those mechanisms that amplify sound waves. The eardrum and the tiny little bones are what is usually affected. The bones are very delicate and it doesn’t take much to break them up. Once they are gone, they stay gone. That’s permanent damage and your hearing won’t return on its own. Surgically installing prosthetic bones is one possible way that a doctor might be able to fix this. The eardrum may have scar tissue once it repairs itself, which will influence its ability to move. Surgery can deal with that, also.
What Can You do to Prevent This Permanent Hearing Loss?
Most significantly, consult a doctor if you believe that you have an ear infection. The sooner you receive treatment, the better. Always get chronic ear infection checked by a doctor. More damage is caused by more serious infections. Finally, take steps to avoid colds, allergies, and sinus infections because that is where ear infections usually start. It’s time to give up smoking because it causes chronic respiratory problems which will, in turn, lead to ear infections.
If you are still having trouble hearing after getting an ear infection, see a doctor. It is possible you have some damage, but that is not the only thing that can cause conductive hearing loss. Hearing aids are very helpful if you have permanent loss of hearing. To get more information about hearing aids, schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist.
