Why can't I hear anymore?

Question:

For about 4 weeks now I have been unable to have a full range of hearing in my right ear. It feels as if I have a pressure problem (like when you get water in it, or if you've just been on a flight). I've been referred to a neurologist for an MR brain for something else (unrelated I think) - weakness, painful eyes, poor balance, odd tingles etc. What can I do to hear again, it's so annoying!

Answers:
I'd have to say that something's going on with your ear drums. I've had ear problems since I was born, and have undergone 6 surgeries by 13. The pressure you've had- I have it too, I live with it. Something as easy as riding in a car with the windows down hurts. Imagine putting a bowling ball on top of a drum. After a long period of time, the drum top (usually taught) will have sagged. This reflects your inner ear. All the natural pressure is stretching your inner ear. When you play on a taught drum, the sound comes clear, but on the saggy drum, not much comes out clear or otherwise. That drum is your ear drum. The reason your hearing has seemed to decrease is the 'bowling ball' on your ear drum. The balance thing can be conncted with your middle ear, thats the center of balance. Have you ever had tubes? Its a very common easy surguery done quite alot. I've had 6 sets. When you get tubes, its supposed to help deal with the fluids in your ear, they might hellp- but i'd definitely consult your dr. If the tubes won't help, the only option may to get a hearing aid. Or a cochlear implant. I wear hearing aids, and they totally help. If you need more info or have questions, feel free to contact me via e-mail.

Inner ear infection, if you've been around a gun, or a loud boom it can cause this. If you've hit your head lately it can cause it. There are several reasons for something like what you've explained to happen.

Even as a adult I get the same inner ear infections that usually only infants and toddlers get. When I have this problem I have hearing problems in that one particular ear.

I also fell off a car back in 2000 (moving car) and had to get stitches in my head... Occassionaly, nothing particular triggers it, it just happens, but my hearing will "switch" or "turn off and on" in only one ear or both ears. It's really weird feeling. You can feel all the sounds in your left ear slowly move to your right ear. U can still hear out of your left ear, everything sounds kinda muted and very far away and distant though as you explained. It can last for a couple minutes or couple hours, and slowly, w/ out me even being able to notice it, it goes back to my normal hearing.

Why can't I hear anymore?

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