🤧 Why Does a Cold or Flu Affect Your Hearing So Much?

shaneaudio
Jul 28
2 min read

Most of us expect to feel tired, congested, or achy during a cold or flu — but many are surprised when their hearing suddenly feels muffled or blocked. At Aurora Audiology, we often get calls from patients saying, “It feels like my ears are full,” or “Everything sounds far away.”

So what’s going on?

👂 The Link Between Your Ears, Nose & Throat

Your ears, nose, and throat are all connected by narrow passageways called Eustachian tubes. These tubes run from the middle ear to the back of your throat and play a key role in equalising pressure behind your eardrum.

When you’re healthy, these tubes open and close easily when you yawn, swallow, or chew. But during a cold or flu:

Inflammation and congestion block the Eustachian tubes.
This causes pressure to build up behind the eardrum.
Fluid may even collect in the middle ear (known as middle ear effusion).
The result? Muffled hearing, ear fullness, popping, and sometimes tinnitus.

🦠 Viral Infections Can Also Affect Hearing Directly

While pressure and fluid are the most common causes, some viruses (like influenza or RSV) can also:

Cause temporary sensorineural hearing loss by affecting the inner ear.
Trigger worsened tinnitus in those already prone to it.
In rare cases, lead to sudden hearing loss, which is a medical emergency.

🧒 Children Are Especially Prone

Children’s Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal, making them more likely to get glue ear (fluid in the middle ear) during or after a cold. This can cause temporary hearing loss, often mistaken for inattention or behavioural changes.

🦻 What Can You Do About It?

If your hearing is affected during a cold or flu, here are a few steps that may help:

Stay well-hydrated and rest.
Use steam inhalation or saline nasal sprays to ease congestion.
Try gentle pressure equalisation techniques (like the Toynbee manoeuvre).
Avoid poking or cleaning the ears yourself — this can worsen the problem.
See a hearing care professional if hearing loss lasts more than a week, or if you experience pain, discharge, or ringing.

📅 When to Get Checked

If your ears feel blocked or your hearing doesn’t return to normal after your cold clears up, book an appointment. We can assess whether the issue is related to pressure, fluid, wax, or something deeper.

At Aurora Audiology, we’re here to help you hear clearly — even through cold season. Feel free to get in touch if you're concerned about your hearing.