In humans, the ear may become deaf under various circumstances. Often this is associated with a cold. In any case, it causes great discomfort. Therefore, if the ear is deaf, what to do, everyone needs to know. The treatment of such discomfort is described in the article.
Types of ailment
If deaf in one ear, what should I do? The reasons must be identified first. Deafness is congenital and acquired. The first is detected in a child at birth and is often a hereditary disease. She also appears from various pathologies of the mother during pregnancy.
Often there is also acquired deafness, which happens early and late. An early one appears in a child under 5 years old, usually from difficult births and genetic ailments of the parents. And when the deafness is late, then there are many causes.
Symptoms
The stuffiness of the ears is manifested in the form of unpleasant symptoms - hearing loss, a negative reaction to your voice. The appearance of ringing in the ears, dizziness is still likely.
Sometimes there is pain, which manifests itself in the form of a mild tingling sensation. There may also be hyperthermia. If congestion is associated with otitis media, then this manifests itself in the form of pains that usually appear at night and are accompanied by high fever.
Causes
Most often, sudden deafness arises from common colds when pathogens enter the body. First, they hit the throat, and then go to the nose, ear. These organs are interconnected, so if you do not cure a cold in a timely manner, the pathogenic microflora will begin to spread through them, causing inflammation.
In the ear region, otitis media of various types and degrees may appear. Because of this, the death of healthy cells is observed, which provide the functions of sound reception and sound conduction, and pathogenic microflora arise on them. As a result, hearing is lost.
There are conditions that prevent the onset of otitis media after a cold:
- Full aftercare of the common cold.
- Proper washing of the nose.
- Follow the doctor's recommendations.
Deafness appears from:
- infectious ailments;
- neck and head injuries;
- prolonged noise at work;
- rapid diving to depth when diving;
- tumors, cysts;
- intoxication.
Usually a symptom appears in people with chronic illnesses. For example, in the presence of cardiovascular ailments, when blood circulation is disturbed. In this case, the organs and tissues of the ear system do not completely receive blood and the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients. They are destroyed and deformed, which leads to hearing loss.
If immunity is reduced, then the body itself can not fight against pathogens. Staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli present in the human microflora are also activated. In a weak body, pathogenic elements destroy the ear system.
If the ear is deaf after a cold, what should I do? If deafness appeared suddenly, and the reasons are not clear, then you need to see a doctor. The specialist will prescribe effective remedies to eliminate the symptom.
From water penetration
If the ear is deaf, what to do at home? The gurgling sensation is not always associated with the penetration of water into the auricle. This may be a symptom of ear ailments. The sign appears with inflammation of the Eustachian tube. With extensive inflammation of the auditory canal, deafness occurs, which is considered reversible and treated. The doctor will help to eliminate the symptoms after establishing the exact cause of the disease.
The sensation of water entering the ear appears after injuries, changes in external pressure, a sharp loud sound, and for other reasons. If liquid has penetrated, then you need to perform simple exercises:
- jump on one leg;
- take a deep breath in and out while holding your breath;
- swallow frequently.
Thanks to the Eustachian tube, water is removed from the ear opening. But this is ensured only on condition that the organs are healthy. If the auditory area is disturbed, water remains either in the auditory tube or through the torn membrane into the middle ear. Then inflammation occurs. In this case, you need to visit a doctor.
Sulfur plug is the cause of hearing loss. When water penetrates, it can swell, so it presses on the eardrum, leading to deformation. This also leads to hearing loss.
Mechanical damage
In this case, conductive hearing loss is detected. The reasons are associated with a mechanical effect on the organs of the ears. For example, hearing loss occurs when an object enters the ear. Often this happens with young children. Sometimes hearing is impaired after diagnosis by a probe. In this case, the reason is the unprofessional implementation of the procedures.
Mechanical damage leads to fracture of the bones and cartilage of the ear region, perforation of the tympanic membrane and other deformations of the tissues and organs of the ear system. If a child has a deaf ear from a foreign body, what should I do? In this case, do not remove it yourself. The subject can be pushed even deeper into the ear zone, which violates the thin membrane between the outer and middle ear. This phenomenon is dangerous, it leads to serious pathologies, in which surgical intervention is necessary.
If the ear is deaf and noisy, what should I do? In this case, you need to contact a qualified doctor. This is the only reasonable way out when deafness occurs from mechanical stress.
Hearing loss and pain
These symptoms appear with various diseases of the ear system: from inflammation to complications of other pathologies. The nature of the occurrence of pain and deafness cannot be detected independently. Ear diseases have many types and subspecies. Diseases related to hearing impairment are divided into:
- conductive;
- sensorineural;
- mixed.
Deafness often appears from tumors, chronic ailments of other organs and systems. Only a doctor can determine the causes. What to do if your ear is sick and deaf? In this case, you just need to relieve the pain and turn to the ENT.
Diagnostics
If the ear is deaf, what should the doctor do? First, a specialist collects a medical history. This will allow him to determine the full picture of the appearance and course of the disease. The survey allows you to:
- identify the cause;
- with inflammation - determine the main pathogen;
- in chronic ailments - establish concomitant deafness ailments.
The otolaryngologist performs an external examination of the skin, measures body temperature and pressure. The specialist performs an examination of the ear zone - otoscopy or endoscopy with special equipment and a light beam. The doctor will prescribe a referral for tests, including examination of the contents of the ear cavity. According to the discharge from the ear, the doctor is able to establish the clinic of the disease:
- mucous membranes - otitis media;
- pink - head injury;
- purulent, bloody - boil;
- unclear - tumors;
- white, black, gray - otomycosis.
If the ear is deaf, but does not hurt, what should I do? A person cannot determine the causes of discomfort on his own, so contacting a specialist will be the most correct decision. If a specialist has questions before making a diagnosis, then there are more extensive studies. Sometimes required:
- computed tomography;
- tuning fork test;
- Ultrasound
- tone audiogram;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- tympanometry.
After carrying out all the activities, the doctor makes a diagnosis. If the ear is deaf, what to do at home can only be determined by a specialist. The patient can only follow all the recommendations, and then recovery will come quickly.
Treatment
If the ear is deaf, what should the doctor recommend? Treatment is performed using:
- medicines;
- physiotherapy;
- herbal medicine;
- laser or surgical operation;
- apparatus that enhances hearing.
The type of therapy depends on the type, form and stage of the disease. If hearing loss is due to sulfuric plugs, the doctor removes unnecessary elements from the auditory tube. And with inflammation, medications and physiotherapy are prescribed. When deafness is associated with organ destruction, surgery is required.
Medicines
If ears are deaf with a cold, what should I do? When it is associated with inflammation, agents are required that destroy the pathogens. If the cause is in microbes, then drugs with an antimicrobial effect are needed, and if in bacteria, then medications have antibacterial and general anti-inflammatory effects.
Doctors often prescribe antihistamines, vasodilators, which improve blood circulation. Also, treatment involves taking medications and vitamins that increase immunity. For colds with ear products, medications are given for the throat and nose. Since these organs should be treated in parallel with the appearance of mucus, swelling and other symptoms of a cold.
If deaf in your right ear, what should your doctor recommend? General and local antibiotics may be prescribed. Drops for ears, alcohol compresses, means to strengthen the immune system, physiotherapy (microwave, ultraviolet radiation, ultrahigh frequency) are also prescribed.
Folk remedies
If the left ear is deaf, what should the doctor advise? Sometimes treatment must be supplemented with herbs and other traditional medicine. Then the patient should take the prescribed infusions, teas, compresses and baths. The doctor sets the dose and nature of the treatment himself. It also determines the duration of therapy and the regimen of taking herbal remedies.
All medical measures should be prescribed by a doctor. Self-treatment can lead to complications. If physiotherapy or injections are prescribed, then you will need to visit the clinic often.
Compresses
Such procedures provide the expansion of blood vessels, tissue inflammation. With their help, infiltrates resolve, pain and inflammation stop. The procedures are performed for tonsillitis, otitis media and other ailments of ENT organs. If the temperature is elevated, compresses are prohibited.
Effective procedures with "Dimexidum". Half-alcohol, alcohol and oil measures are used. Concerning the implementation of the procedures, consult your doctor.
Probable complications
If hearing loss is not cured in a timely manner, then irreversible effects may occur. Probably the development of deafness of 4 degrees. Therefore, you should not ignore the symptoms of ear ailments. In case of any discomfort in the organs of hearing, it is required to consult a doctor for advice.
If you endure pain, discharge from the ears, dizziness, loss of coordination, this leads to complex and serious ailments:
- meningitis;
- hydrocephalus;
- paresis of the face.
Complications appear as tumors and cysts in the ear system. In this case, surgical intervention is necessary.
Prevention
Deafness that occurs with or after a cold can be prevented. It is necessary to wear hats in the cold season. Even in the cool period you should not refuse them. It is important not to supercool and not to overheat.
If the disease has appeared, the entire treatment course is required. When visiting the pool, water must not be allowed to enter your ears. It is advisable to temper and keep the immune system in good shape, eat right, eat foods rich in vitamins and valuable trace elements. Still need to observe the daily routine and move more.
It is still necessary to adhere to the rules of daily care. Outside, the auricle is washed with soapy water and wiped dry. Ear sticks are used only for external cleansing of the ear canal, so that only cotton wool enters the ear, and not half of the stick. Still not worth the constant and loud noise. A visit to the otolaryngologist should at least be once a year. Following these simple rules, you will be able to protect yourself from many ailments.
It is necessary to protect the health of the ears. Since untreated illnesses or prolonged ignoring of painful symptoms can cause sudden deafness of both ears. Therefore, it is important to monitor your well-being and, if necessary, consult a doctor.