My dad had (has?) an ear infection. I think it started last weekend. It was a few days before he could get it checked, and when he did, he went to the walk-in clinic. They prescribed him antibiotics, and the pain has stopped. However, he's deaf in one ear. It's really scaring him, and as time lapses, it's starting to worry me. Could the hearing loss be permanent, or do you think he just needs to wait it out?

I had many ear infections in my childhood, to the point where I had to have tubes in my ears (I don't anymore). I'm fine, and my hearing is great. I was too young to remember if I had any hearing loss back then, but I guess that is what I'm basing it off of. He had a fever of 101, and it was only a few days before he got treatment. Do you think he will be alright, or are his fears valid? He's 55 if that has any bearing.

Thanks in advance.

Wondergirl

There could be fluid build-up that needs to be drained. He should see a doctor for a follow-up exam.

give2me1lemons

Well basically he still can't hear out of it. He went back last Thursday and they offered to put him on steroids for eight days to see if it cleared up and then poke a hole in it (his ear drum) if it didn't. He opted to have them poke a hole in it then instead and they drained it, to no avail.

He goes back tomorrow, but now I'm less hopeful. I assume this means you can go deaf..

Fr_Chuck

yes there are 100's of types of "infections" and they can have seroius effects.

it is obvious he needs to go to a specialist that does hearig and ears

give2me1lemons

Supposedly the guy is a specialist. That's what my mom says anyhow. He went back today, and now they are saying he has to wait for the hole to heal and see what happens. Supposedly some people can't hear with the hole still there. I kind of feel like they are just making stuff up at this point, but I guess we have to wait.

It just bothers me because it bothers him. He has expressed he would rather be completely blind than deaf at all. Seems dramatic/odd to me, but he loves his music.

Thanks.

Fr_Chuck

you said he went to a "walk in clinic" normally those are only General practice and most often y you just see a Nurse Pract.

With something as seroius as your hearing I would always get a second opinion

give2me1lemons

That's what I thought, but now my mom says he had an appointment with a specialist all three times. It was at the walk-in place, but it was a specialist. They travel over here on certain days. I guess they are affiliated with my old doctor from way back when I had all my problems. Sorry for the confusion.