Discussion
My left ear feels blocked.
Been to the doctors, it sort of fixed itself for a bit and in that period I got sent for a hearing test which was fine but then it reverted to how it was, did manage to remove some wax at one point with some olive oil and how water but the Audiologist said its clear. Can stuff get in behind what they can see ?
Doctor put me on a Steroid nasal spray a couple of weeks back which I cant say made much difference, he offered me the option of a referral but at the time I thought i may as well give the Steroids a go. He said he thought it was a blocked Eustachian tube and the steroids up the nose would get through to it and help but havent so far.
Got a feeling of pressure and my hearing is ok but not as good as it was, its like a speaker when the tweeter fails, missing the higher frequencies, have had it popping and crackling, also had a sort of buzzing/static noise ever since it started which varies in volume.
Whats the best way to progress, anyone had similar ? Its been going on a couple of months now.
Been to the doctors, it sort of fixed itself for a bit and in that period I got sent for a hearing test which was fine but then it reverted to how it was, did manage to remove some wax at one point with some olive oil and how water but the Audiologist said its clear. Can stuff get in behind what they can see ?
Doctor put me on a Steroid nasal spray a couple of weeks back which I cant say made much difference, he offered me the option of a referral but at the time I thought i may as well give the Steroids a go. He said he thought it was a blocked Eustachian tube and the steroids up the nose would get through to it and help but havent so far.
Got a feeling of pressure and my hearing is ok but not as good as it was, its like a speaker when the tweeter fails, missing the higher frequencies, have had it popping and crackling, also had a sort of buzzing/static noise ever since it started which varies in volume.
Whats the best way to progress, anyone had similar ? Its been going on a couple of months now.
I’ve had this and it’s still an on going issue.
I’ve seen a specialist who put a scope up my nose and prodded around.
He said the canal between my nose and ear was very tight, causing air pressure / build up which would only release when swallowing or holding my nose/ breath and popping my ears. He also gave me nasal spray to try and open the canal, which mostly worked, but I still have some issues. He said the spray could take months to work properly and the effect will be felt very gradually.
On the plus side, even with this problem, the test showed I had the hearing of an 18 year old, which isn’t bad for 38 years old! The problem now is I don’t have an excuse to ignore my wife
I’m also interested on anyone else’s experience with this problem.
ETA: the doc also said I should try and pop my ears as much as possible, around 60 (!) times a day!!
I’ve seen a specialist who put a scope up my nose and prodded around.
He said the canal between my nose and ear was very tight, causing air pressure / build up which would only release when swallowing or holding my nose/ breath and popping my ears. He also gave me nasal spray to try and open the canal, which mostly worked, but I still have some issues. He said the spray could take months to work properly and the effect will be felt very gradually.
On the plus side, even with this problem, the test showed I had the hearing of an 18 year old, which isn’t bad for 38 years old! The problem now is I don’t have an excuse to ignore my wife
I’m also interested on anyone else’s experience with this problem.
ETA: the doc also said I should try and pop my ears as much as possible, around 60 (!) times a day!!
Edited by extraT on Thursday 23 June 12:04
Cheers, sounds very similar.
Its been a nightmare, dont realise how much you take for granted.
But, funnily enough it seems a little better today, I woke and my ear was a bit damp and it had some like runny wax in it, plus it seems to be less pressured so dont know if that is it clearing, but it feels a bit like it may be, really hope so.
Doctor never said to do the popping of my ears but had been doing that anyway but steeped it up a bit based on your post so that may have helped ?
Its been a nightmare, dont realise how much you take for granted.
But, funnily enough it seems a little better today, I woke and my ear was a bit damp and it had some like runny wax in it, plus it seems to be less pressured so dont know if that is it clearing, but it feels a bit like it may be, really hope so.
Doctor never said to do the popping of my ears but had been doing that anyway but steeped it up a bit based on your post so that may have helped ?
J4CKO said:
Cheers, sounds very similar.
Its been a nightmare, dont realise how much you take for granted.
But, funnily enough it seems a little better today, I woke and my ear was a bit damp and it had some like runny wax in it, plus it seems to be less pressured so dont know if that is it clearing, but it feels a bit like it may be, really hope so.
Doctor never said to do the popping of my ears but had been doing that anyway but steeped it up a bit based on your post so that may have helped ?
Go to an ear specialist and get a test done. It could be a blocked eustachian tube. They do a test to see if your ear drum is able to move freely. Its been a nightmare, dont realise how much you take for granted.
But, funnily enough it seems a little better today, I woke and my ear was a bit damp and it had some like runny wax in it, plus it seems to be less pressured so dont know if that is it clearing, but it feels a bit like it may be, really hope so.
Doctor never said to do the popping of my ears but had been doing that anyway but steeped it up a bit based on your post so that may have helped ?
I had this earlier in the year. Almost total deafness in one ear. Horrible. I was given the nasal spray too. It took about 3 weeks to clear. I did a lot of steam/albas inhalation too
As you can see on the left (right ear) there was zero ear drum movement.
Edited by thebraketester on Friday 24th June 09:31
thebraketester said:
J4CKO said:
Cheers, sounds very similar.
Its been a nightmare, dont realise how much you take for granted.
But, funnily enough it seems a little better today, I woke and my ear was a bit damp and it had some like runny wax in it, plus it seems to be less pressured so dont know if that is it clearing, but it feels a bit like it may be, really hope so.
Doctor never said to do the popping of my ears but had been doing that anyway but steeped it up a bit based on your post so that may have helped ?
Go to an ear specialist and get a test done. It could be a blocked eustachian tube. They do a test to see if your ear drum is able to move freely. Its been a nightmare, dont realise how much you take for granted.
But, funnily enough it seems a little better today, I woke and my ear was a bit damp and it had some like runny wax in it, plus it seems to be less pressured so dont know if that is it clearing, but it feels a bit like it may be, really hope so.
Doctor never said to do the popping of my ears but had been doing that anyway but steeped it up a bit based on your post so that may have helped ?
I had this earlier in the year. Almost total deafness in one ear. Horrible. I was given the nasal spray too. It took about 3 weeks to clear. I did a lot of steam/albas inhalation too
As you can see on the left (right ear) there was zero ear drum movement.
Edited by thebraketester on Friday 24th June 09:31
I’ve had similar issues with my ears for 40 years!
If it’s feeling of fullness behind the ear drum it’s probably the Eustachian tube not draining properly. It can be popped by blowing out hard through your nose whilst holding your nostrils closed. I had the very same symptoms back at the end of last year. And today I saw a specialist about it. So that want much of a waste of time
Lying on a different side to normal can see the fluid drain out, sometimes
It will clear eventually, but I have the added excitement of a perforated ear drum into which wax drains so keeping the Eustachian tube topped up so to speak.
Also buy yourself one of those ear wax picks with cameras then you can see for yourself what your ear looks like.
If it’s feeling of fullness behind the ear drum it’s probably the Eustachian tube not draining properly. It can be popped by blowing out hard through your nose whilst holding your nostrils closed. I had the very same symptoms back at the end of last year. And today I saw a specialist about it. So that want much of a waste of time
Lying on a different side to normal can see the fluid drain out, sometimes
It will clear eventually, but I have the added excitement of a perforated ear drum into which wax drains so keeping the Eustachian tube topped up so to speak.
Also buy yourself one of those ear wax picks with cameras then you can see for yourself what your ear looks like.
I’ve had this as well half a dozen times over the years often with colds etc.
Ears have always been clean it’s miserable. Stopped me sleeping and once had it in both ears at the same time.
Sometimes takes a few weeks to clear up.
When on the mend you get the odd clearing and it’s the best feeling in the world before it pops back to as it was …
My advice do what the doctor says but also …
Drink loads of water.
Buy some chewing gum and chew all the time.
If you have any terrain close by that’s high drive up it …
I know that sounds daft but on a couple of occasions I’ve gone for a drive in the early hours and the extra 2k feet or so in altitude has cleared my ears on the way back down …
Look for exercises online that help to open the blocked Eustachian tube.
Holding the noise and blowing with mouth closed has only ever increased the pressure and the problem for me.
Remember don’t panic it will get better ..
Oh and don’t sleep on that side ..
Ears have always been clean it’s miserable. Stopped me sleeping and once had it in both ears at the same time.
Sometimes takes a few weeks to clear up.
When on the mend you get the odd clearing and it’s the best feeling in the world before it pops back to as it was …
My advice do what the doctor says but also …
Drink loads of water.
Buy some chewing gum and chew all the time.
If you have any terrain close by that’s high drive up it …
I know that sounds daft but on a couple of occasions I’ve gone for a drive in the early hours and the extra 2k feet or so in altitude has cleared my ears on the way back down …
Look for exercises online that help to open the blocked Eustachian tube.
Holding the noise and blowing with mouth closed has only ever increased the pressure and the problem for me.
Remember don’t panic it will get better ..
Oh and don’t sleep on that side ..
I had ear problem a couple of years ago. A miserable thing, like toothache.
The NHS nurse syringed it a few times to get it clean as couldn’t clear it. I had to use olive oil in between visits.
On the final visit, she was able to clear the obstruction.
Instant relief!
Maybe get someone else to check it out.
The NHS nurse syringed it a few times to get it clean as couldn’t clear it. I had to use olive oil in between visits.
On the final visit, she was able to clear the obstruction.
Instant relief!
Maybe get someone else to check it out.
A colleague of mine has had problems with blocked ears over the years, and cleared it with hot water, as in uncomfortable, just below burning hot water. And it melted wax to help it come out. Repeat a couple of times.
It's easier if someone helps you with this, lay sideways and use a syringe.
It's easier if someone helps you with this, lay sideways and use a syringe.
J4CKO said:
Cheers, sounds very similar.
Its been a nightmare, dont realise how much you take for granted.
But, funnily enough it seems a little better today, I woke and my ear was a bit damp and it had some like runny wax in it, plus it seems to be less pressured so dont know if that is it clearing, but it feels a bit like it may be, really hope so.
Doctor never said to do the popping of my ears but had been doing that anyway but steeped it up a bit based on your post so that may have helped ?
How can you tell if it sounds familiar?Its been a nightmare, dont realise how much you take for granted.
But, funnily enough it seems a little better today, I woke and my ear was a bit damp and it had some like runny wax in it, plus it seems to be less pressured so dont know if that is it clearing, but it feels a bit like it may be, really hope so.
Doctor never said to do the popping of my ears but had been doing that anyway but steeped it up a bit based on your post so that may have helped ?
Xaero said:
A colleague of mine has had problems with blocked ears over the years, and cleared it with hot water, as in uncomfortable, just below burning hot water. And it melted wax to help it come out. Repeat a couple of times.
It's easier if someone helps you with this, lay sideways and use a syringe.
In this case, it's not wax as the OP has seen an audiologist who said the external auditory canal is clear. It's easier if someone helps you with this, lay sideways and use a syringe.
wong said:
OP - your GP offered an ENT opinion. You should take that.
If it is Eustachian tube dysfunction, it should temporarily clear with the Valsalva manoeuvre (trying to breathe out while holding your nose closed and closing your mouth). Decongestants may help.
Hi wong the old holding the nose didnt work for me it actually made it worse just seemed to increase the pressure in my sinuses. If it is Eustachian tube dysfunction, it should temporarily clear with the Valsalva manoeuvre (trying to breathe out while holding your nose closed and closing your mouth). Decongestants may help.
I think the Steroids have done the trick, its not perfect but it feels like 90 percent normal now, not got the blocked felling and its not crackling anywhere as much and can hear higher frequencies, plus the Tinnitus has subsided.
I think the Steroid approach feels like its not helping but takes a while to work, being male we want results straight away.
Such a relief.
I think the Steroid approach feels like its not helping but takes a while to work, being male we want results straight away.
Such a relief.
J4CKO said:
Narcisus said:
Nice one mate it’s rubbish when they are like that almost like you want to stick a Nuke in there to clear ‘em
Yeah, thought would follow up in case anyone else has it and thinks it won’t go, as I certainly felt like that.Downside is I can hear the wife now…
trouble is if you’re anything like me every time I get a sniffle I’m crapping myself thinking they are going to block up !Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff