How long does it take for normal hearing after an ear infection in both ears?

Question

Can you please tell me how long it will be until I can hear normally again? I have an ear infection in both ears. I have been on antibiotics for 5 days. I feel much better but have severly muffled hearing. How long did this last for anyone else out there who has suffered from this?
Thanks

Answer 1

If your hearing is still muffled it means you problably still have fluid in your ears. I would consider calling your doc and asking him this question since you have been on the antibiotics that long. Are you taking a decongestant such as sudafed to help? If not you might try this too. You do need to let your doc know though that you are still not hearing well so he can check this out. If left untreated or unable to resolve fluid in the ear it can cause permanent hearing loss. This is from personal experience many years ago.

Answer 2

If you have been on an antibiotic for 5 days and you are generally getting better but still not able to hear clearly the problem with your hearing is not the infection. Infections reduce hearing only when there is fluid. Retraction of the ear drum (a change in pressure and ventilation of the inner ear) is a more common cause of a temporary change in hearing than is infection and retraction is often not identified nor treated by physicians.

Answer 3

I had an ear infection in one ear. My ear was muffled for about a month, but that was b/c it was pretty bad. Hopefully urs won't last that long. I had a hard time speaking with others..

Answer 4

I had a severe ear infection earlier this year and it took two weeks for me to hear properly but I would imagine it would be about 3/4 days for you now that you've taken antibiotics for 5 days.

Answer 5

I had muffled hearing for 2 weeks once... only in one ear though. Hope it's not that long for you!