Can otitis media develop secondary to a sinus infection?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am recovering from a sinus infection. I have had a clogged right ear ringing for the last four days. The ear ringing was on and off with loudness but seemed to be better in the morning. But yesterday, I woke up and had distorted hearing, like I am underwater in the same ear. Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
As per your history, it can be either otitis media with effusion or eustachian tube dysfunction secondary to the sinus and nasal infection. Otitis media with effusion is a collection of fluid in the middle ear, whereas eustachian tube dysfunction is blockage of the eustachian tube, which connects the nasopharynx with the middle ear. Take steam inhalation twice a day. Do Valsalva maneuver, which is trying to blow the air from the mouth against a closed nose. Please do not do it too forcefully. This method will help you in both conditions. Also, do nasal washing with warm salt water using a neti pot. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have a couple of questions. 1) Do you think Amoxicillin could have caused this? Just nervous because I read antibiotics can affect hearing. 2) Also, in the ear where hearing is distorted, is it because of fluid in the ear? Should I use a steroid spray, something like Flonase? 3) How long does it typically take to resolve?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Amoxicillin does not affect hearing. So you do not have to worry. Yes, fluid in the ear can distort hearing. You can use Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate); it can also help in sinus disease. It can take half a week to six weeks to resolve, and it can differ for different patients. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Does the way you sleep matter? I noticed the hearing distortion first after sleeping on the affected side. Can I still sleep on my right side or only left, or does it matter?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, if you have a hearing distortion after lying to a particular side, it can be due to blockage of the eustachian tube secondary to blockage of that particular nostril. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Is the recovery for distorted hearing something that happens gradually over half a week to six weeks period or randomly overnight kind of thing?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
It depends on the severity of the disease. It can happen overnight or may take a few weeks in other cases. You can also check the amount of hearing loss by doing pure tone audiometry and confirm the diagnosis using tympanometry.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Would something like Sudafed help my ear drain the fluid faster, so the hearing returns to normal? My nose is not stuffy anymore, so not sure if it is too late to use something like this.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
You can use Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) as it helps in nasal congestion and sinus pressure. However, it is not too late. You can use it or any other medication like Allegra (Fexofenadine). Do not forget to take steam inhalation, sinus washing, and Valsalva maneuver. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am doing the steam inhalation. How long each time should I do it? A minute or two? Can I use HydraSense instead of a neti pot?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
It is better to take 10 to 15 minutes of steam twice daily. Yes, you can use HydraSense (Sodium hyaluronate).
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Is it safe to combine Sudafed and Flonase?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, it is safe.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My hearing is better in the right ear, but I am on the fourth day of this hearing distortion at higher frequencies. I can feel fluid or like something is moving behind my ear. I am assuming the sound distortion will stop once this fluid is released. I am just impatient and want it to go away fast.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
If the fluid is reduced, sound distortion will also get relieved. If the symptoms do not improve or persist for three months, grommet insertion is another option. Let us see how well it will improve. Also, it would help if you had a tympanogram to confirm it.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
What is the best way to avoid this in the future? It has never happened before, and I have had so many colds. Should I take Sudafed as soon as I get a clogged ear? I was blowing my nose hard too, so maybe that is why it got backed up into my ear.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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