Hearing loss from ear infection

Let’s talk adult ear infections. Over the past two years I have met many adults who have been told that they have permanent partial or complete hearing loss due to what should have been a simple ear infection.

I find this very hard to believe.

The anatomy of this problem is that there has been extreme pressure on the inner ear from infection of the Eustachian tube, and this results in nerve damage. Often, this comes about when a person with a head cold/ear infection gets on an airplane and has the additional stressor of a lack of air pressure to exasperate the problem. Even so, the damage should be reversible.

First, the Eustachian tube and surrounding lymph system would need to be “cleaned out”. NOT, I repeat, NOT by use of steroids or antibiotics. Neither of these types of drugs helps clogged Eustachian tubes or clogged lymphatic systems. As a matter of fact I have asked each of the people I’m thinking of, and they all had both hormone/steroid shots and multiple rounds of antibiotics. I would like very much to hear from anyone who was helped in this condition by either of these courses.

But cleansing these systems is tricky, takes a lot of rest, water, good food, time and patience.

But what about the nerve damage? Well, I’ve talked to a neurosurgeon at Loyola University Hospital near Chicago (in 1996), and he said that nerves do grow, but very slowly, at a rate of about ¼ inch per month, depending on the health of the person. This is hopeful news.

I am still a student, as is noted in my heading. I am still working on all of the intricate working of the human body, and will surely come back to this subject in the future.

As a child I myself lost most of my hearing due to multiple ear infections and broken ear drums. I had my hearing checked December 2004, and was informed that it was excellent. With good nutrition and no additional harm due to loud noises (from music or work) or infections, I am personal proof that your hearing can be restored.

Shopping List

Below is a shipping list that I have given my friends as a guide to healthy eating. It’s hard enough to look at every label, and produce doesn’t even come with labels! I hope you find this list makes your life a little easier and healthy:

· Nuts, unsalted, un-roasted, best still in the shell.
· Plain old fashioned oatmeal. NOT the stuff in the single serve package that is more sugar and artificial ingredients than oatmeal. Add a pat of butter, salt and molasses.
· Brown rice, or a blend of brown and jasmine rice.
· Stonybrook Farms brand vanilla yoghurt. Eat it with fruit juice sweetened jam, in Pancakes instead of milk ( ½ yoghurt ½ water) for tangy pancakes, or many other baked goods.
· Molasses. Trust me. Use it in baked beans or on top of oatmeal.
· Whole grain Wheat Thins™, Triscuits™, etc. (plain flavored).
· Whole grain bread, like 12 grain, 8 grain, almond, Indian, etc.
· Plain popcorn, NEVER microwave type. There are reports that the goop they put in the packages for microwave use causes pancreatic cancer.
· Panda ™ Brand real black licorice. Licorice originally had real licorice root in it, and according to numerous publications this herb is one of the best digestion aides available.
· “Better Than Bouillon” brand broths, including beef, chicken, vegetable, and mushroom, among others.

Produce:
· Fresh Ginger root
· Avocado
· Fruit, especially berries.
· Onions and garlic, always have them in your 'fridge, fresh and whole.
· Asparagus (The only good source of the amino acid l-Asparagine).
· Even in my small town (1500 people) grocery store we can get organic lettuce, cauliflower, mushrooms, broccoli, and many fruits. Buy organic, it's worth the 15% mark up.