Having a cold can cause you to experience a variety of illness symptoms. Viruses can be caused by hundreds of different viruses, meaning that the symptoms you experience may differ from person to person depending on what virus you have been infected with. If you’re suffering from unusual cold symptoms, you could be developing a more serious secondary infection or suffering from an illness more serious than a cold. Keep reading to learn about whether trouble hearing could be caused by a cold, and whether trouble hearing due to an illness requires medical attention.
If you need illness diagnosis and symptom treatment services, look no further than AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch. Our walk-in clinic offers a convenient and affordable alternative to visiting the emergency room for walk-in illness care.
Common Cold Symptoms
During the colder months, illnesses tend to spread quickly from person to person. This can be due to a variety of factors. During the winter, we spend more time indoors which forces us to be in close contact with others more often. We also can have weakened immune systems due to weather fluctuations, a change in our diets, and an overall lack of physical activity. Viral infections like the ones that cause colds are severely contagious. This means that the chances of you contracting a cold at some point during the colder winter months is pretty high.
Colds are very common illnesses. They bring a variety of common symptoms that tend to be mild and short-lived. Common cold symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Congestion
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Post-nasal drip
- Itchy or runny eyes
Can a Cold Clog Your Ears?
Although it is not a commonly known symptom, colds can cause your ears to feel clogged and swollen. Severe congestion in your sinuses can have a direct effect on your ear canal. If you are experiencing severe congestion from your cold, you may notice symptoms like facial pressure or ear pressure due to swelling deep in your sinuses.
If you are experiencing trouble hearing, it is important to closely monitor your symptoms. If your ears become painful, start leaking discharge, or are itchy, you may be developing an ear infection from the swelling. This can occur when your inner ear tubes become so swollen that fluid gets trapped against your ear drums.
What to Do If You’re Sick & Having Trouble Hearing
If you’re experiencing mild illness symptoms, it is important to monitor them to make sure that they aren’t getting worse over time. If your symptoms continue to worsen, you may have a more serious illness than a cold. If your symptoms are not worsening, however, your ears feel clogged, you likely are just experiencing some swelling from the infection.
The most effective way to ensure that you’re not developing an ear infection is to seek medical treatment if you’re having trouble hearing. Ear infections can be painful, but catching them early and treating them correctly can help you avoid more severe symptoms from manifesting. Otherwise, using OTC decongestants may help reduce congestion and swelling temporarily. In most cases, mild ear swelling will resolve on its own over time as your body fights off the virus that's making you sick.
Visit AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch for Same-Day Illness Symptom Treatment
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms which indicate that you may have a cold, it is possible that you may experience some trouble hearing. To get same-day symptom diagnosis and treatment, visit AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch. Our clinic is conveniently located in West Long Branch, NJ, and we never require that you schedule an appointment in advance to receive prompt and reliable medical care. Simply walk into the clinic.
Our team of board-certified medical professionals is trained to quickly and accurately diagnose a variety of common illness symptoms. Based on your exact symptoms, your healthcare provider may perform diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. Our clinic has a full laboratory on-site, so you’ll get your test results quickly. Our clinic offers affordable care and accepts most medical insurance plans. Walk in today.
