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Suggest Treatment For Ear Infection And Hearing Loss
Question: I'm a 45 yr old male, never had ear problems, had a bad ear infection after a flight, it finally started clearing up after 2 rounds of antibiotics, 9 days of steroids and a tube placed in ear. All the draining is done, but i still have trouble hearing and there is a constant ringing. I had hearing tests and nerves all seem fine, hearing loss is in ear not nerve area, (maybe because of tube) I went the tube out and ,my body to heal, the doc is making me wait. I hear myself talking and everything sounds strange, My question is, Do you think it will get better once tube is removed???? thank you. Also ringing, I understand that takes time but should it go away?
Brief Answer:
Barotrauma. Do not remove the ear tubes. Tinnitus will decrease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. From your history, you had barotrauma during the flight. Your medication and grommets (ear ventilation tubes) seem to be helping your ears heal.
2. The ear tubes are designed for ventilation of the middle ear and not for draining secretions. Proper ventilation helps the ear heal.
3. The ear tubes are designed to get extruded on their own. This may take weeks to months. Any attempt to remove them may result in ear drum perforation.
4. Since you have only a Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL) and no Sensori-Neural Hearing Loss (SNHL), there is no cause for worry. Your hearing will improve.
5. The Tinnitus (ringing) can be either due to the hearing loss or the ear tubes. It will decrease with the healing of the ear.
6. You need sustained medication including anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, decongestants and steam inhalation. A short course of steroids (under antibiotic cover) may help speed up the healing process. Keep the ear dry. Avoid swimming.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Barotrauma. Do not remove the ear tubes. Tinnitus will decrease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. From your history, you had barotrauma during the flight. Your medication and grommets (ear ventilation tubes) seem to be helping your ears heal.
2. The ear tubes are designed for ventilation of the middle ear and not for draining secretions. Proper ventilation helps the ear heal.
3. The ear tubes are designed to get extruded on their own. This may take weeks to months. Any attempt to remove them may result in ear drum perforation.
4. Since you have only a Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL) and no Sensori-Neural Hearing Loss (SNHL), there is no cause for worry. Your hearing will improve.
5. The Tinnitus (ringing) can be either due to the hearing loss or the ear tubes. It will decrease with the healing of the ear.
6. You need sustained medication including anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, decongestants and steam inhalation. A short course of steroids (under antibiotic cover) may help speed up the healing process. Keep the ear dry. Avoid swimming.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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