Hearing Loss After an Ear Infection: Will It Come Back?

It is very common for hearing to feel muffled or reduced after an ear infection, and in most cases it recovers. But the real answer to 'will it come back?' is: usually yes, sometimes no, and the only way to be sure is to have it checked if it does not clear. Knowing the difference between a normal recovery and a warning sign is what matters.

Why hearing drops during and after an infection

During an infection, fluid and inflammation build up in the ear, which stops sound travelling normally and leaves hearing dull or blocked on that side. In a middle-ear infection (otitis media), fluid can linger behind the eardrum even after the infection itself has cleared, so the muffled feeling can outlast the pain. In an outer-ear infection (otitis externa, or swimmer's ear), swelling in the canal can do the same; see our guide to swimmer's ear.

How long recovery usually takes

As the inflammation settles and any fluid drains, hearing generally returns over days to a few weeks. Children in particular can have fluid that lingers for weeks, sometimes called glue ear (see fluid in a child's ear). If your hearing is steadily improving, that is a good sign. If it has stayed muffled with no improvement, that is the point to get it looked at rather than waiting indefinitely.

When it may not fully come back

Most post-infection hearing loss is temporary (conductive) and recovers. Less often, an infection, or repeated infections, can cause lasting damage, particularly in chronic middle-ear disease, or CSOM (see chronic ear discharge and hearing loss). Rarely, infection can affect the inner ear and cause permanent (sensorineural) loss. A hearing test is what tells these apart, by showing whether the loss is the temporary, conductive kind or something more.

When to see a doctor, and when to test

• See a doctor if there is ongoing pain, discharge, fever, or the infection keeps returning.
• See a doctor urgently if hearing dropped suddenly and sharply (read why in sudden hearing loss is an emergency).
• Have a hearing test if the muffled feeling has not cleared a few weeks after the infection settled.

Treat the infection with a doctor first; Prudent is an audiology clinic and does not treat infections. Once it has settled, if your hearing has not returned, book a free hearing test, or start with our online hearing screening, so we can measure exactly where your hearing stands and advise on next steps. Prudent Hearing Solutions.