Instant partial hearing loss

**cyclonedave25** · 06-12-2011, 10:09 AM

I went to bed with good hearing.
I woke up to go pee in the morning with good hearing.
I woke up about an hour or so later and my right ear is halfway deaf. It feels like there is water inside of it or needs to be popped, but that's obviously not the case. It's just ringing with a numb feeling.
Has this ever happened to anybody else?

**isucyfan** · 06-12-2011, 10:11 AM

It's earwax buildup. Happens to me a couple of times a year.

Get some OTC earwax softener, then irrigate with one of those baby snotsuckers. You'll be horrified to see what was in your ear.

That will be $50, please.

Signed,

Dr. isucyfan

**cyclonedave25** · 06-12-2011, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

It's earwax buildup. Happens to me a couple of times a year.

Get some OTC earwax softener, then irrigate with one of those baby snotsuckers. You'll be horrified to see what was in your ear.

That will be $50, please.

Signed,

Dr. isucyfan

I always figured earwax buildup caused more of a "gradual" hearing loss, rather than instant hearing loss.
Well, I guess it's worth a try. Thanks!

**CyForPresident** · 06-12-2011, 10:20 AM

DO NOT use Q-tips. Use the ear wash kits.

**isucyfan** · 06-12-2011, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonedave25

I always figured earwax buildup caused more of a "gradual" hearing loss, rather than instant hearing loss.
Well, I guess it's worth a try. Thanks!

I don't think so. The same thing you described happens to me. I go to bed fine and wake up and can't hear a dang thing out of one ear.

I actually went to the doctor the first time it happened, and they did the above procedure I described. I do it at home myself now.

**cyclonedave25** · 06-12-2011, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

I don't think so. The same thing you described happens to me. I go to bed fine and wake up and can't hear a dang thing out of one ear.

I actually went to the doctor the first time it happened, and they did the above procedure I described. I do it at home myself now.

Do you have the ringing in your ear, too?

**isucyfan** · 06-12-2011, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonedave25

Do you have the ringing in your ear, too?

Sort of. It just feels like you are underwater and everything is muffled.

I'd bet big bucks that what I've described is your problem. It's very disconcerting when it first happens.

**cyclonedave25** · 06-12-2011, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

Sort of. It just feels like you are underwater and everything is muffled.

I'd bet big bucks that what I've described is your problem. It's very disconcerting when it first happens.

I hope you're right!
And yes, I was freaking out when I first woke up.

**Cyclonepride** · 06-12-2011, 11:22 AM

Ear infection. I can always tell when my son is getting one because he starts complaining about his hearing in that ear.

**Wesley** · 06-12-2011, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

Sort of. It just feels like you are underwater and everything is muffled.

I'd bet big bucks that what I've described is your problem. It's very disconcerting when it first happens.

Ringing in the ear or when you lose hearing for a few seconds can be the precursor to eventual hearing loss. Tinnitis is really bad as it can be louder than people talking to you.

There are also ear infections going around right now. I know people having trouble hearing right now due to fighting off the inner tube infection. From my experience, if it lasts more than a day, I would go see the doctor. Hearing properly makes life easier.

Hearing aids are $5k and not as good as you would hope.

**brianhos** · 06-12-2011, 11:50 AM

Go to the doc. If it is earwax they can clean it out or tell you if it is something more serious.

**68clone** · 06-12-2011, 12:30 PM

I think Wesley and Brianhos are right on. Don't mess around with a possible ear problem. I have been wearing hearing aids for about 15 years and they don't work very well and cost a lot ($5 K for 2 and they last about 5 years). Go see a ENT Dr.

**ISUboi12** · 06-12-2011, 12:33 PM

Go to an ENT or otologist ASAP.

It could be something as simple as earwax build up. It could also be something as serious as sudden sensorineural hearing loss from a virus, autoimmune, other causes.

If it is sudden sensorineural hearing loss you can be administered steroids orally or through an injection on your eardrum that can sometimes bring some of your hearing back. However, this can only be effective if it is administered within a week. For many who have this hearing loss, without treatment, the hearing loss is permanent. It may also be progressive, depending on whats causing it. PM me if you want more information. Goodluck

**acoustimac** · 06-12-2011, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonedave25

I went to bed with good hearing.
I woke up to go pee in the morning with good hearing.
I woke up about an hour or so later and my right ear is halfway deaf. It feels like there is water inside of it or needs to be popped, but that's obviously not the case. It's just ringing with a numb feeling.
Has this ever happened to anybody else?

I'm not going to say anyone is wrong here, but with something as critical as hearing I'd go to the doc, let them diagnose it and then come back here and say...you were right! Don't mess with trying something when you could very well screw it up worse with a missed self-diagnosis.