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.