Beware: Your Hearing Can be Impaired by The Common Cold

A study by The American Lung Association states that the normal adult gets up to four colds every year. While colds are normally minor viral infections, that’s a lot. It doesn’t make a difference what part of the body the virus attacks, if it results in congestion, it can cause an ear infection.

There are a few cold symptoms you don’t want to ignore despite the fact that colds are generally considered harmless. Scientists have finally affirmed the suspected connection between ear infections and the common cold. This discovery is significant, because ear infections are a major contributing variable in the disturbing rise in antibiotic resistance.

Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Considering that your sinuses and ears are connected, it’s not unusual to feel stuffed up in your ears when you have a cold. Usually, this feeling comes and goes, especially if you’re taking a decongestant and your head is draining out fluids. But congestion can develop into an ear infection in just a few hours. This is the reason why you should always seek professional help if you have any pain or abnormal discharge in your ear.

Pain is a sign that your cold is getting worse and can be an indication of inflammation or infection. You can avoid permanent injury, if detected early enough, by getting a prescription for antibiotics. It can lead to eardrum scaring and could damage the cilia if dismissed.

How significant is this? Usually, cold related hearing loss is only temporary. However, permanent loss of hearing can result if the eardrum or cilia become damaged and that can lead to other health problems.

Hearing Loss Can Impact Your Overall Health

Loss of cognitive ability, depression, an increase in accidents, and other health problems are connected to hearing loss. An increase in healthcare costs has been connected to loss of hearing by researchers recently. As a matter of fact, in only a decade, neglected hearing loss can increase your healthcare costs by 46%.

Hearing loss can also raise your chance of needing hospitalization by 50%….and also increase the chance of needing to be readmitted.

It adds up every time your ears take even minor injury. Even mild hearing loss can, Johns Hopkins found, double your chances of getting dementia. Consider the fact that considerable hearing loss can be caused by scarring on the eardrum from repeated ear infections.

Having Ear Pain for Days?

Have you been suffered from ear pain for days and neglected it? It’s a typical mistake, but seek treatment immediately. The majority of health insurance companies consider symptoms of an ear infection or ear pain an emergency and there’s a good reason for that. If you feel pain in your ear when you have a cold or after a cold get a hearing test. A professional examination can tell you whether:

• there is any affect on your inner ear
• you need to deal with damage to the eardrum
• You have an ear infection right now

Pain or temporary loss of hearing can be caused by a blockage in the ear that can also be identified by a professional ear exam.

Ear pain or chronic hearing loss are sure signs that you should consult a professional. Schedule an appointment now.