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What Causes Persistent Deafness In Left Ear Along With Severe Cold?
Question: Persistent deafness in left ear following severe cold/flu about six months ago. Feels as if mucus/sludge is blocking the ear canal and eustachian tube. Improves intermittently but recurs equally often. Suspect that water in the ear while snorkelling did not help. Doctors say no wax build-up evident and various medications have not helped. Condition accompanied by low-pitch throbbing tinnitus to complement the high-pitch whistling in the right ear.
Brief Answer:
Have you seen an ENT specialist?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this hearing loss and tinnitus that you have reported. This can be a problem with the conduction system or the nerve that carries the information to the brain. I will suggest that you do a hearing assessment and audiometry(hearing evaluation) to pinpoint the origin of this problem. If it is the ear or the nerves, further specific testing would be carried out to address this problem accordingly along these lines.
The best specialist to contact for this is an ENT specialist. They would be able to provide the necessary answers and also suggest what the possible solutions are.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more specific information and clarifications if need be.
Have you seen an ENT specialist?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this hearing loss and tinnitus that you have reported. This can be a problem with the conduction system or the nerve that carries the information to the brain. I will suggest that you do a hearing assessment and audiometry(hearing evaluation) to pinpoint the origin of this problem. If it is the ear or the nerves, further specific testing would be carried out to address this problem accordingly along these lines.
The best specialist to contact for this is an ENT specialist. They would be able to provide the necessary answers and also suggest what the possible solutions are.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more specific information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Of course, I've seen an ENT specialist. Had they achieved results, I would not be on this website. I'm looking for specific recommendations for a cure.
Brief Answer:
Audiometry
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up precision.
I now understand that you had already taken initial steps to see specialists in this domain. I will like to know if you had specialized testing done which is termed audiometry. This is very important as it would be able to tell whether this is a problem in the ear or elsewhere. Localizing the origin of this problem would be a major way to addressing it. For instance, if it suggests a conduction problem, then further testing and management can be easily reoriented and intensified.
If no cause is identified, then measures to address the symptoms one by one would be employed like using drugs and or soft background sounds for this.
In all, if you have never had a hearing audiometry done, I strongly recommend you get one done for orientation and further management.
I wish you well and keep me updated!.
Audiometry
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up precision.
I now understand that you had already taken initial steps to see specialists in this domain. I will like to know if you had specialized testing done which is termed audiometry. This is very important as it would be able to tell whether this is a problem in the ear or elsewhere. Localizing the origin of this problem would be a major way to addressing it. For instance, if it suggests a conduction problem, then further testing and management can be easily reoriented and intensified.
If no cause is identified, then measures to address the symptoms one by one would be employed like using drugs and or soft background sounds for this.
In all, if you have never had a hearing audiometry done, I strongly recommend you get one done for orientation and further management.
I wish you well and keep me updated!.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Same useless blandishments as from all your colleagues. Yet another expert today gave me OTC Clarinase. I need suction/vacuuming to remove the offending accumulation, either that or a powerful solvent. Not a mild and pill that's repeatedly proved ineffective.
Brief Answer:
I understand your anger!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for following up with me.
I understand your anger and frustration. It is normal and this shows that you have not noticed any improvement. At this moment, I believe this are the best options we can offer given the information we have. It may not be the definitive solution but we do promise to continue and work with you to get more answers and propose solutions.
I will encourage you to work with the treating team. The solution may not come instantly but I am confident that's their goal as well. Do not get discouraged just now. Be positive. Try the clarinase and see what the results would be.
I wish you well. Keep me updated for informational and educational purposes!
I understand your anger!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for following up with me.
I understand your anger and frustration. It is normal and this shows that you have not noticed any improvement. At this moment, I believe this are the best options we can offer given the information we have. It may not be the definitive solution but we do promise to continue and work with you to get more answers and propose solutions.
I will encourage you to work with the treating team. The solution may not come instantly but I am confident that's their goal as well. Do not get discouraged just now. Be positive. Try the clarinase and see what the results would be.
I wish you well. Keep me updated for informational and educational purposes!
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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