Will ear pain with discharge result in hearing loss?

Question

Hello doctor,

I would like to ask about my situation. Last night I decided to clean my ears using cotton buds, after hours I felt like my left ear did not function as how my right ear does. It has the same feeling when you got out of the water from the swimming pool as if there is a stucked water inside. Days pass (two days to be exact) I started to feel pain whenever I touch my ear. And also I observe that there are times wherein there is a liquid (just a bit, but not too much) that comes out of my ear, but it has no odor and color. I feel scared and bothered. I am afraid of losing my hearing since I mostly use my ears for my job. Please help me. Is this dangerous? Will I lose my hearing because of this? What are the medications I can take to ease the pain and cure this problem?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your situation. Your symptoms are suggestive of an acute ear infection. Nothing to worry. Since you say your ear is discharging, follow these suggestions. 1. Visit an ENT doctor near you so that your ear can be visualized endoscopically and treated accordingly. 2. If you do not have the chance to visit an ENT consultant start yourself on the following medication. Tablet Amoxicillin 500 mg twice daily for five days, tablet Levocetirizine once daily before sleep for five days. Ciprofloxacin ear drops three drops thrice daily. 3. Try to keep your ear dry at all times. 4. Regarding your hearing, in most cases, it will be back to normal after the underlying infection subsides. But, nothing can be confirmed without examining your ear. 5. Get out of the habit of using earbuds to clean your ear. It is designed to only clean the outer ear lobe not to clean inside your ear. This habit will only worsen things for you.