In a cold, hearing loss can happen due to congestion or infection in the ears. These problems can be treated by taking medication or precautions.
Cold can arise due to infection in the nose and throat. It has different types of symptoms like runny nose, congestion and cough which can occur with the approach of cold weather, season, or when suffering from cold.
During or after a cold can cause dull ache or pain around the ears.
Read below-mentioned details about what are the causes and how to treat hearing loss caused due to cold using home remedies.
How Cold Causes Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss in a cold can be caused due to the following reasons:
Congestion
In your middle ear the eustachian tube connects the upper throat and back of the nose, which prevents immoderate air pressure and collected ear fluid in the ear.
In a cold mucus and fluid build up in your nose can block the eustachian tube and can cause hearing loss. Congestion can’t occur when your cold goes away.
Infection in middle ear
Infection in the middle ear is also called by another name, Otitis media. It is caused by viruses and bacteria which enter behind your eardrums.
These viruses build fluid in the ears and when bacteria is developed in the liquid it can cause infection.
Sinus infection
It is a condition of the nasal passages in which cavities cause inflammation. It can also be caused by bacterial, virus and fungi infections in the nose. People who have weak immune systems can build more bacterial and sinus infection.
Other symptoms can be caused by:
- Stuffy nose
- Mucus flowing down in throat
- Runny nose with heavy yellow or green mucus
- Feeling pressure in the nose, eyes and forehead
- Feeling pressure and pain in the ears
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Difficulty to sense the smell
- Tiredness
5 Home Remedies For Treating Hearing Loss Caused Due To Cold
You can use home remedies whenever you want to treat your hearing loss which is caused due to cold.
1. Hot or Cold Compress
If you want to relieve pain and swelling you should use hot or cold compress. Soak a cloth in warm water, wring it out then put it on the ear which is bothering you.You can also use an icepack in the cold compress.
2. Sleep Upright
Sleeping in an upright direction rather than lying straight in bed can remove the fluid from your ear which can provide ease to your middle ear. It can help in reducing the pressure in the ears.Never try to sleep in a position that affects the ears most.
3. Nasal Rinse
If experiencing loss of hearing due to sinus infection, you should rinse your nasal. It will expel mucus, viruses, bacteria, and other debris like dust, mold and dirt.
4. Hydration
You should drink plenty of liquid which can be in the form of water, squash and fruit juice to stay hydrated. Hydration will help to loosen the mucus and speed up in recovery.
5. Olive Oil
If your ears contain lots of earwax, you can try warm olive oil in your ear canal. It makes the earwax soft and can remove it easily from the ears.
But, it is not scientifically proven to cure hearing loss caused due to cold.
Medical Attention for Hearing Loss Due to Cold
In addition to following the home remedies which are mentioned above, you can consult with a doctor.
Doctors may also recommend these treatments for treating hearing loss occurring due to cold.
Use Pain Relievers
Using OTC (over-the-counter) pain relieving medication can help to reduce the pain and fever.
Doctors can recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen. When treating children, you should consult your doctor before getting medicines.
Ear Drops
You can use OTC ear drops, which can help to reduce pain in the ears. If your eardrums burst don’t use ear drops, it can cause problems. So, before using ear drops, consult with a doctor.
Antibiotics Medicine
If you use antibiotics which are not necessary to use in the treatment of ear and sinus infections.
A doctor can advise these medications in severe conditions or bacterial infection.
Precautions When Experiencing Hearing Loss Due to Cold
- Using medication for cold can help to manage the symptoms, but it may not provide that much help in your hearing loss.
- Consuming too much cold medicines or OTC pain relievers can harm your liver.
- Only take medication or OTC pain relievers that are prescribed by your doctor.
- You should take these precautions too:
- Don’t give any cold medication to your children without a prescription from a doctor.
- Don’t take advice to use garlic, olive oil or tea tree oil to clear ear infection. Before using these oils, take advice from a doctor.Avoid using cotton swabs to clean the ears.
When to See the Doctor
You can consult with your doctor if you notice the following symptoms:
- Symptoms that continue for many days
- Symptoms that get worsen
- Severe ear pain
- Fever
- Hearing disorder
- Changes in hearing
- Earache
Conclusion
In most of the cases, there can’t be heart loss after a cold. Using home remedies, doctors’ prescribe medication and precautions can be helpful in treating hearing loss due to cold.
If symptoms are very severe or medicines do not provide relief from heart loss, then you should see a doctor.