What is usually known as an ear infection, is medically known as otitis media or AOM. Ear infections like this are normally seen in babies and young kids but they can affect adults, as well, particularly during or after a cold or sinus infection. If you have a bad tooth, that can also result in an ear infection.
Just how long will hearing loss persist after having an infection of the middle ear? To come up with a complete answer can be somewhat complicated. There are many variables to consider. You should understand how the injury caused by ear infections can end up affecting your hearing.
What is Otitis Media?
The simplest way to understand otitis media is that it’s an infection of the middle ear. Bacteria is the most prevalent cause, but it could be caused by any micro-organism.
The primary way an infection is defined is by what part of the ear is infected. 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 caused by bacteria in the cochlea.
The space in front of the cochlea but behind the eardrum is known as the middle ear. The three little bones in this area, called ossicles, are responsible for vibrating the membranes of the inner ear. An infection in this part of the ear tends to be very painful because it puts pressure on the eardrum, often until it breaks. Your inability to hear very well is also because of this pressure. The infectious material accumulates and finally blocks the ear canal enough to obstruct the movement of sound waves.
The signs or symptoms of a middle ear infection in an adult include:
- Ear drainage
- Ear pain
- Diminished ability to hear
Usually, hearing will return eventually. The pressure goes away and the ear canal opens up. This will only happen when the infection gets better. Sometimes there are complications, however.
Chronic Ear Infections
Ear infections happen to most people at least once in their life. The problem can become chronic for some people and they will keep having ear infections. Chronic ear infections can lead to complications that mean a more significant and possibly permanent hearing loss, especially if the problem is neglected.
Conductive Hearing Loss From Chronic Ear Infections
Ear infections can cause conductive hearing loss. Essentially, sound waves don’t get to the inner ear at the proper strength. By the time the sound reaches the tiny hairs in the inner ear, they are amplified by the components of the ear canal and reach their maximum strength. 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. The components that amplify sound waves are decomposed and eaten by the bacteria. Normally, this type of damage includes the eardrum and those tiny little bones. The bones are very fragile and it doesn’t take much to break them up. These bones will never come back once they are gone. That’s permanent damage and your hearing won’t return on its own. In certain cases, surgeons can put in prosthetic bones to fix hearing. The eardrum may have scar tissue after it repairs itself, which will affect its ability to move. This can also potentially be corrected with surgery.
What Can You do to Avoid This Permanent Hearing Loss?
First and foremost, consult a doctor if you believe that you have an ear infection. The sooner you receive treatment, the better. Also, don’t ignore chronic ear infections. More damage will be caused by more severe infections. Finally, take steps to avoid colds, allergies, and sinus infections because that is where ear infections normally start. If you smoke, now is the right time to quit, too, because smoking increases your risk of getting chronic respiratory troubles.
If you are still having difficulty hearing after getting an ear infection, see a doctor. Other things can cause conductive hearing loss, but it may be possible that you may have some damage. Hearing aids are very helpful if you have permanent loss of hearing. To get more info about hearing aids, schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist.
