I’ve had a cold and cough for the past 5 days and last night I started experiencing muffled hearing (which I know is common after colds). I held my nose and tried blowing to clear my hearing. My left ear immediately popped but the right ear took a little more and was a half pop (only way I can describe it). I did this a few times and then stopped and went to bed. I woke in the night with a painful right ear and had to take some painkillers I found it worse if I laid down so I was up for a couple hours. When I woke in the morning the pain had gone but the muffled hearing was worse and I had an echo in my right ear. I could hear high pitched voices as an echo. I could also hear my own voice echoing back in my head.

Can anyone help and tell me what has happened? When or will it go? Is there any treatment required?

Robbie Lah

I'm having the similar problem except I did not catch a cold. I suspected when I was having a bath some water got in. Its been six days now and I have got era drops "AQUAEAR" to dry up the fluid. It did help for 36hrs but the echo came back. I will have to seek a specialist advice soon.

SueChampion

Claire and Robbie
I have something very similar. Have muffled hearing and can hear high pitched sounds and voices echo in my left ear. Can also hear my own voice echoing in my head. Have no real pain and have not have any cold or sinus problems. It seemed to come on very suddenly. What happened with you two?? Did it go away on its own or did you have to get treatment. (Doctor has referred me to a ENT clinic but have 7 week wait!!!)
Would be good to 'hear' what happened to you.......

SueChampion

Claire and Robbie
I have something very similar. Have muffled hearing and can hear high pitched sounds and voices echo in my left ear. Can also hear my own voice echoing in my head. Have no real pain and have not have any cold or sinus problems. It seemed to come on very suddenly. What happened with you two?? Did it go away on its own or did you have to get treatment. (Doctor has referred me to a ENT clinic but have 7 week wait!!!)
Would be good to 'hear' what happened to you.......

klidster

I had the same thing, got a fever overnight and a bad cold to go with it. The next morning I pretty much couldn't hear out of that ear with the exception of a bit of an echo sound from high pitched noises. Went to the doc and was told it was an ear infection and given antibiotics, they lasted a week but the problem stayed. I went back and was told I have a perforation in my eardrum. Apparently i've just got to wait it out that it should get better on its own as long as I dont get it wet.

How long did it take for you guys to get better I miss surfing also bit worried about the extent of hearing loss I can't hear a thing out of my left ear except those high pitched echo's.

selinbash

just read all of your complaints about muffled hearing... muffled hearing usually occurs when you've a cold due to either fluid in the middle ear or due to ear blockage/fullness.it usually subsides with cold. do not blow by pinching your ears it may cause damage to your ear drum instead try swallowing or yawning like you've to do it when you r in flight when your ears r blocked....

Selin Basheer
Audiologist & Speech Therapist
ENT Sleep Well Clinic
Noor Specialist Hospital
Kingdom of Bahrain