Hi there - i had an ear infection on tuesday which i left alone as i get them sometimes and my gp said not to use antibiotics as normally clears up in a few days. woke up this am and my ear no longer hurts but i cannot hear in the offending ear. i have am

Otitis media : The hearing loss you are describing is most likely a consequence of an ear infection. There is fluid left behind in the middle ear. This needs to drain through the eustachian tube into the upper throat. Sometimes the fluid gets trapped in the middle ear and then you can't hear. Treatment involves mucus thinners, decongestants, and sometimes oral and/or nasal steroids. See an ENT.