Permanent hearing damage from infection?

[Peterthegreatworrier]

Hey there.
I caught some sort of bug a few days ago, with a bad headache, phlegmy hacking cough and some slight ear pain and muffled hearing. It's been very slowly improving, but my hearing is still muffled and, even more alarming, certain noises actually sound annoyingly louder than normal. I'm really worried that the infection has somehow done permanent damage to cells involved in hearing. I already panicked a bit to my parents earlier in the illness when I was worried I was getting pneumonia, so if I spoke to them about this I won't get a great response.
Should I worry about this?

[lebonvin]

Nope

[ankietyjoe]

If it's only been a few days then there's nothing to worry about. Infections can take weeks to recover from fully.

[Peterthegreatworrier]

That's encouraging to hear :) But how can you be sure? Is it normal?

[ankietyjoe]

Is what normal?

[Peterthegreatworrier]

Is what normal?

The sensitivity to some sounds?

[ankietyjoe]

Well no, unless perhaps you have an infection.

[Peterthegreatworrier]

Well no, unless perhaps you have an infection.

Ok. I know I shouldn't panic, I'm just kind of worried that my cochlear is being destroyed by a virus or something Well, I'll see how it goes, fingers crossed.

[Peterthegreatworrier]

I think I should mention, a few years ago I was actually struggling with similar ear symptoms but that was triggered by noise exposure. Tests showed no hearing loss and it very slowly went back to normal. But, I have no idea how this infection could have set it off again :(

[ankietyjoe]

I think it would be a good idea and wait for a few weeks and then see if it is still a problem.

[Peterthegreatworrier]

I think it would be a good idea and wait for a few weeks and then see if it is still a problem.

Thank you very much :) Yeah, I guess it is a waste of time worrying. Ok, I'll give it a shot.