Advice on hear loss

I had an ear ache that subsided in the night and when I woke in the morning there was blood on my pillow and in my ear canal. Now I am unable to hear. Can you suggest anything to help me?
(10 Oct 2007)

Earache is a commonly occurring medical condition that can develop in children as well as adults. There are two conditions that can cause an earache, otitis externa or infection of the external ear and otitis media or infection of the middle ear. Otitis externa is also called commonly referred to as swimmer’s ear and is characterized by an infection of the skin in the outer ear canal.

It is usually caused by the accumulation of moisture or injury to the ear canal. Otitis media is more common in children and refers to an infection of the eardrum and the middle ear. It is caused due to a bacterial spread near the ear drum. This generally occurs after upper respiratory tract infections. Bleeding can occur if the there is a more severe injury to the ear or if the temporal bone gets fractured. Severe cases of infection of either the external ear or middle ear can also result in bleeding. It is important to undergo a medical examination at the earliest in order to obtain the correct treatment and also to prevent further complications.

Ear oils are an effective remedy for temporary relief from ear pain. A traditional remedy used to treat earaches is to mix peeled and chopped garlic, fresh muellin leaf and two cups of olive oil. This must be allowed to stand in the sunlight for a few days. This allows for the extraction of the contents of the ingredients. When the mixture turns a brownish color, strain it and then add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to it. Put three to four drops of this into the affected area four times a day and allow it to penetrate. Garlic has antibiotic properties and a mixture of grated garlic and olive oil can be used to treat ear infections. After allowing the mixture to stand for a while, strain and use the oil as drops. Fresh peppermint juice can also be put into the ears to relieve pain.

An effective way to reduce infection and pain is to put a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ear. After allowing it to penetrate into the inner parts of the ear flush the ear using warm water. This helps to ease wax build up in the ear as well. Cleansing the ears with water in which fresh Margosa has been soaked will also be helpful in reducing inflammation. These remedies help to reduce the pain arising from earache. Your condition, however, is more serious since it has caused bleeding and hearing loss. In light of this, the best thing to do is to immediately consult your doctor.

answered by M W on 17 Mar 2010, 7:45:53

Hear loss advice

The case you describe sounds like a highly problematic one and it would require immediate medical attention. If you have not done so yet, please seek the advice of a specialist, as bleeding from the ear and hearing loss are problems that could have serious long-term repercussions. In order to control this problem via home remedies, you can begin by cleaning out your ear with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Let the drops flow down to your ear canal and wiggle your ear slightly to ensure that it reaches all the way in. Let it work for a few minutes and then simply turn your head over in the other direction. Do not insert anything inside your ear at this point. Once the fluid reaches the outer part of your ear, use a cotton swab to clean it up. If your hearing does not return after doing this, try applying warm compresses around the ear area. Do not use a compress directly on your ear as this may cause permanent, irreversible damage. You can make a simple compress by putting some rice in a sock and warming this in the microwave. If these remedies do not work, you are strongly advised to see a doctor at once to determine what the problem is.

answered by G R on 28 Feb 2008, 4:50:43

Advice on hear loss

I had an ear ache that subsided in the night and when I woke in the morning there was blood on my pillow and in my ear canal. Now I am unable to hear. Can you suggest anything to help me? (10 Oct 2007)

I had an ear ache that subsided in the night and when I woke in the morning there was blood on my pillow and in my ear canal. Now I am unable to hear. Can you suggest anything to help me?
(10 Oct 2007)