Hearing Loss after Inserting Foreign Object in Ear

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, I'm a 20 year old male who is overall in good health. Recently, I was scratching my ear (both of them) as there is an itch on both of them (usually take the sharp end of the pen cap and use it to clear my ear/scratch the inside of the ear when it itches). I'm careful with this as going too deep can damage the ear drum. I've noticed that one day both my ears internally were itchy so I scratched them a lot using the pen cover end. I scratched more then normal. That same evening I was near a big speaker doing a microphone test and my right ear was facing the speaker (I was at a good distance, but the volume was loud). The speaker played some very loud low and high notes, which I could feel trembled my right ear. The next morning when I woke up I could tell that I wasn't hearing properly from my right ear. I can hear ringing and it feels as though its swollen from all that scratching. It feels weird because my left ear can hear perfectly and my right is not as clear (I can hear everything but it seems like the volume at which I used to hear just dipped down a little). I just wanted to know if I've damaged my ear/encountered a hearing loss on my right ear or if this is something temporary.

Dear A.J: You would be surprised the number of times I encounter this question in my practice. It happens mostly on a daily basis.

As a general rule, NEVER insert and foreign objects in your ear unless advised by your doctor.  This includes pens, fingers, crayons, tissue, paperclips and the very popular Qtips.  This is one of the leading causes of ear infections in North America and recently an untreated infection developed into meningitis and the patient died.  Permanent use will eventaully lead to permanent damage.

Ear Symptoms can be the result of inner ear problems or external ear problems.  In your case, both are possible.  Both are also treated very differently.  I suggest you see your doctor today for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.