Colds and hearing loss

Marta Silva | Published 13 March 2025 | Updated 17 April 2025 | 5 mins read

A woman lying on her sofa, blowing her nose, with a box of tissues and a cup of tea beside her.

We’ve all battled the common cold at some point in our lives. As frustrating as it is, it’s inevitable to catch, especially during the colder months when people spend more time together indoors, increasing the spread of viruses.

Luckily, most of us get back to our normal selves after a week or so. But, if the cold has caused other complications, leading to more infections, recovery may be longer. Experiencing colds and hearing loss is a little more uncommon that some may find worrisome. Here, we’ll explore the symptoms of hearing loss after a cold, as well as treatment options and preventative measures.

How can a cold cause hearing loss?

A cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, including the throat, nose and sinuses. Since colds cause nasal or sinus congestion, the buildup of fluid and mucus can block the Eustachian tubes, leading to muffled or temporary hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is referred to by doctors as ‘conductive hearing loss’ as it’s usually temporary and improves once the cold symptoms have subsided.

Although rare, prolonged congestion and persistent fluid buildup can put pressure on the nerves in the inner ear, leading to permanent hearing loss.

What are the complications of a cold?

While the majority of colds clear up on their own with no lasting effects, some people may suffer from other complications.

A close-up of a thermometer showing 38.7°C.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are a common complication of colds due to congestion and swelling of the nasal passages blocking the Eustachian tubes. Symptoms of an ear infection include:

Ear pain
Ear discharge
Headache
Loss of balance
Vertigo
Fever
Ringing sound in the ear (tinnitus)
Loss of appetite
Itchiness or blisters

Ear infections caused by a cold often clear up on their own or with antibiotics. However, if symptoms persist and are left untreated, they can cause more severe issues, such as meningitis, labyrinthitis, an infection of the balance organs inside the ear, or even facial paralysis. If you experience any sudden hearing loss after an ear infection, it’s important to speak to a hearing care professional.

Hearing loss cold symptoms

Hearing loss during a cold doesn’t always equal an ear infection. The extra fluid in the middle ear makes it difficult for the eardrum to vibrate and for the sound waves to travel through normally. It’s estimated that this buildup can decrease your hearing by 24 decibels, meaning sound will likely feel muffled.

Alongside reduced hearing, you may also experience tinnitus, a condition where you can hear sounds, often a ringing noise, despite there being no external noise. The level of tinnitus can vary, from a quiet background hum to a loud, annoying, high-pitched noise. Tinnitus can affect your daily life, so if you’re still experiencing this condition after a cold, speak to your doctor, who will be able to provide an assessment and diagnosis and suggest the best course of action.

How to treat cold-induced hearing loss

Generally, cold-induced hearing loss resolves once the cold symptoms have improved. Since there are so many different types of viruses, there is no cure for a common cold. Medications such as decongestants, pain relievers, and ear drops can all help ease symptoms and clear blocked ears and sinuses.

If bacteria caused the infection, antibiotics can be prescribed to you by your doctor.

When to see a doctor

More often than not, hearing loss from a cold isn’t anything to worry about as it is usually temporary. However, if your symptoms last over 10 days with no signs of easing, are severe and cause you abnormal discomfort, or you experience sudden hearing loss or loss of hearing in one ear, consulting a doctor is strongly advised.

If you have a child younger than three months who is also exhibiting these symptoms, along with lethargy and a fever, it’s vitally important to get them checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

A doctor vaccinating a woman in a consulting room.

How to prevent hearing loss after a cold

Hearing loss and ear infections after a cold can be prevented by:

Getting vaccinated, including the annual flu jab.
Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke if possible.
Washing hands frequently with soap and water.
Wearing a face mask when in a busy, public space.
Avoid touching contaminated surfaces, such as escalator conveyor belts or train grab poles, and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
Drying ears after swimming.

Takeaway

In some cases, a cold can cause temporary hearing loss due buildup of fluid and mucus blocking the Eustachian tubes. Usually, this type of hearing loss, referred to as conductive, will resolve itself once the cold symptoms have subsided. However, if the symptoms have lasted for more than 10 days or you’re experiencing abnormal pain or discomfort, it’s recommended you consult your doctor.

If you’re worried about your hearing or are showing signs of hearing loss, book a free hearing test with THCP today.

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