Tips for Attending Social Events with Hearing Loss
Social events are full of conversations, laughter and music. For those
How a Cold or the Flu Can Hurt Your Hearing
With fall comes changing leaves, sweater weather, pumpkin patches and, unfortunately, cold and flu season. Getting sick is always unpleasant, but did you know that coming down with a cold or the flu can impact your hearing? We review the connection below.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold & the Flu
Whether you have a cold or the flu, you may experience:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
One way to tell the difference between the two conditions is to pay attention to your symptoms. With the flu, symptoms come on abruptly, while with a cold, they tend to be gradual. You’re more likely to experience more severe symptoms with the flu, and with a cold, headache and fever are rare. Another indicator is the duration of symptoms. A cold typically lasts a week to 10 days, while a flu can linger for weeks on end.
Temporary Auditory Symptoms
Temporary hearing loss can result from congestion. In addition to causing a stuffy nose and sinus pressure, congestion can affect the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat and allow air pressure to equalize and fluid to drain. When this happens, you can experience fullness or pressure in the ears as well as temporary hearing loss.
In addition, fluid in the middle ear can cause temporary balance problems or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
These temporary auditory symptoms usually resolve when you begin to recover from your illness.
Permanent Hearing Loss
While rare, permanent hearing loss can result if the flu virus damages the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear and the brain.
What Are the Treatment Options?
The best way to treat a cold or the flu is with an over-the-counter cold and flu medication from Walgreens in Warsaw in conjunction with rest and hydration. A decongestant can also be beneficial, though you should check with the pharmacist to determine which is the best option.
If you do suffer from permanent hearing loss, hearing aids are the gold standard treatment. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call The Audiology Offices today.
