Suggest Treatment For Partial Hearing Loss, Ear And Sinus Infection

Posted on Thu, 23 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 Answered on

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have recently been treated for an ear infection that turned into a sinus infection. Two rounds of antibiotics later, (Cipro and then Bactrim (finished ~5 days ago) I still have some hearing loss and pressure (not pain) in my ears. If I try and equalize the pressure (plugging nose and blowing) I have some very temporary change but mostly lots of gurgling in one ear like fluid is moving around in there. Occasionally when i try and equalize the pressure i get very dizzy. I don't know if I should go back to my Dr. or just see if my body takes care of it.

There is also a slight ringing in one ear.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation and gurgling with lukewarm water should help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
There is a tube on either side connecting between the inner throat and the middle ear cavity. During cough and cold or during a sinus infection, this tube may get blocked thus affecting hearing. Trying to equalise the pressure may normalise the hearing, at least temporarily. The inner ear has the function of both hearing and balance. Hence trying to manipulate with the pressure in the middle ear can make you feel dizzy. In such a case, gurgling with lukewarm water and taking stem inhalation should gradually help in resolving the problem. You may wait for a few more days and see if it goes away. If not, you would need to see a ENT doctor.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar