Ear blockage? and tinnitus
Discussion
I'll keep this brief.
I had an ear infection last November. Wasn't reg'd with GP at the time (they removed me without telling me as I hadn't been for so long). Visited walk-in several times, tried several anti-biotics, ear infection cleared sort of but left me with other issues. Walk-in was never able to refer me to specialist and although I registered with a GP I could never get an appointment. However, I did recently register elsewhere and see a doctor.
The problem i've had since last year is a blockage in my ears, in my eustacean tube the doctor says. The symptoms are popping/crackling when I swallow, lots of funny sounds and movements when breathing/swallowing etc, and the dreaded tinnitus which is thankfully only obvious in a very quiet room.
The doctor I managed to see says that for a month or two, all I can try is holding my nose and pushing my breath outwards, as this might loosen the problem. I am highly doubtful this will work and it also makes me dizzy.
I've previously tried a course of max strength sudafed and olive oil ear drops for a month. The sudafed helps with congestion but made zero difference to the problem.
I guess i'm grasping at straws here, hoping that somebody somewhere has had something similar and solved it? I will listen to any ideas with gratitude. The tinnitus is my main concern, in case it gets worse. I don't think I could take it mentally. But i'm sure the tinnitus is being caused by the pressure in the eustacean tube.
I'll be blowing through my ears somewhere but will keep my fingers crossed for a solution. Alternatively I can go back to the doctor in 4 weeks and beg to see a specialist.
I had an ear infection last November. Wasn't reg'd with GP at the time (they removed me without telling me as I hadn't been for so long). Visited walk-in several times, tried several anti-biotics, ear infection cleared sort of but left me with other issues. Walk-in was never able to refer me to specialist and although I registered with a GP I could never get an appointment. However, I did recently register elsewhere and see a doctor.
The problem i've had since last year is a blockage in my ears, in my eustacean tube the doctor says. The symptoms are popping/crackling when I swallow, lots of funny sounds and movements when breathing/swallowing etc, and the dreaded tinnitus which is thankfully only obvious in a very quiet room.
The doctor I managed to see says that for a month or two, all I can try is holding my nose and pushing my breath outwards, as this might loosen the problem. I am highly doubtful this will work and it also makes me dizzy.
I've previously tried a course of max strength sudafed and olive oil ear drops for a month. The sudafed helps with congestion but made zero difference to the problem.
I guess i'm grasping at straws here, hoping that somebody somewhere has had something similar and solved it? I will listen to any ideas with gratitude. The tinnitus is my main concern, in case it gets worse. I don't think I could take it mentally. But i'm sure the tinnitus is being caused by the pressure in the eustacean tube.
I'll be blowing through my ears somewhere but will keep my fingers crossed for a solution. Alternatively I can go back to the doctor in 4 weeks and beg to see a specialist.
This sounds similar to something that I first got years ago.
At the time, I was advised to try steam/decongestants/menthol etc and that helped a bit. It all kind of settled down, but last year it flared up again and I went back to the doctors. I was prescribed a bottle of Beconase. I was a bit sceptical about this, but it did actually work! I've bought another bottle of it over the counter since & use it whenever my ear feels a bit bunged up. You can get own-brand versions of it as well that are a bit cheaper.
One other thing I found that helped was, if your ear is sore, if you finish a cup of tea/coffee, try holding the cup over your ear - the warmth will ease it a bit & it feels like (may be total placebo) the blockage softens a bit.
Don't let the tinnitus annoy you - you do get used to it & pretty much anything drowns it out. If it is annoying you at night, try putting a radio on at a low volume, either tuned in or not.
Hope this is of some help.
At the time, I was advised to try steam/decongestants/menthol etc and that helped a bit. It all kind of settled down, but last year it flared up again and I went back to the doctors. I was prescribed a bottle of Beconase. I was a bit sceptical about this, but it did actually work! I've bought another bottle of it over the counter since & use it whenever my ear feels a bit bunged up. You can get own-brand versions of it as well that are a bit cheaper.
One other thing I found that helped was, if your ear is sore, if you finish a cup of tea/coffee, try holding the cup over your ear - the warmth will ease it a bit & it feels like (may be total placebo) the blockage softens a bit.
Don't let the tinnitus annoy you - you do get used to it & pretty much anything drowns it out. If it is annoying you at night, try putting a radio on at a low volume, either tuned in or not.
Hope this is of some help.
Really appreciate the replies thank you all. Especially the recommendation of Beconase, i'll try to pick some of that up asap so I at least feel like i'm trying all I can. I'll also remember the tip for if my ears feel sore, which they can do if i've been irritating them trying to work the problem up!
If that doesn't sort it I will definitely be asking for a referral to ENT. Apparently doctors don't recommend the syringing method anymore? as it *can* cause further problems, but it must work for some or they never would have practiced it. I've also seen videos of that black sort of ear wax being fished out on youtube. It's gross, but i'm definitely of the opinion that there's more of a blockage than the doctor I saw would credit.
Re the tinnitus, it's tolerable most nights, luckily I tend to fall asleep quickly, just hoping it doesn't worsen. As you say most of the time you don't notice it. It's funny how we become used to things.
If that doesn't sort it I will definitely be asking for a referral to ENT. Apparently doctors don't recommend the syringing method anymore? as it *can* cause further problems, but it must work for some or they never would have practiced it. I've also seen videos of that black sort of ear wax being fished out on youtube. It's gross, but i'm definitely of the opinion that there's more of a blockage than the doctor I saw would credit.
Re the tinnitus, it's tolerable most nights, luckily I tend to fall asleep quickly, just hoping it doesn't worsen. As you say most of the time you don't notice it. It's funny how we become used to things.
danllama said:
Really appreciate the replies thank you all. Especially the recommendation of Beconase, i'll try to pick some of that up asap so I at least feel like i'm trying all I can. I'll also remember the tip for if my ears feel sore, which they can do if i've been irritating them trying to work the problem up!
If that doesn't sort it I will definitely be asking for a referral to ENT. Apparently doctors don't recommend the syringing method anymore? as it *can* cause further problems, but it must work for some or they never would have practiced it. I've also seen videos of that black sort of ear wax being fished out on youtube. It's gross, but i'm definitely of the opinion that there's more of a blockage than the doctor I saw would credit.
Re the tinnitus, it's tolerable most nights, luckily I tend to fall asleep quickly, just hoping it doesn't worsen. As you say most of the time you don't notice it. It's funny how we become used to things.
They tend to use micro-suction these days. It's bloody noisy (if you're not partially deaf!) but lovely If that doesn't sort it I will definitely be asking for a referral to ENT. Apparently doctors don't recommend the syringing method anymore? as it *can* cause further problems, but it must work for some or they never would have practiced it. I've also seen videos of that black sort of ear wax being fished out on youtube. It's gross, but i'm definitely of the opinion that there's more of a blockage than the doctor I saw would credit.
Re the tinnitus, it's tolerable most nights, luckily I tend to fall asleep quickly, just hoping it doesn't worsen. As you say most of the time you don't notice it. It's funny how we become used to things.
I've had tinnitus, a high pitched whine, for about two years after some type of infection in my left ear most of the time. I'd say the volume was about 30-40% of conversational level and it hasn't let up for one second ever since it arrived. I'd have to be exposed to something pretty loud for it to disappear.
Does it bother me? No. It seriously got to me for the first few days. Now it's just... there.
Does it bother me? No. It seriously got to me for the first few days. Now it's just... there.
I had a blocked ear for around 4 months (after swimming) and went through the beconease route without success.
Eventually got a syringe appointment - bliss!!!
They pump warm water into your ear in kind of short pulses. The crap that came out! There was no way that any olive oil was gonna help that. It needed to be mechanical.
After the 3Rd flushing the nurse says it's all gone but I'm not convinced so she goes in for a forth. Huuuge lump out and I can hear again!
Don't waste your time - demand the warm water session!!!
Eventually got a syringe appointment - bliss!!!
They pump warm water into your ear in kind of short pulses. The crap that came out! There was no way that any olive oil was gonna help that. It needed to be mechanical.
After the 3Rd flushing the nurse says it's all gone but I'm not convinced so she goes in for a forth. Huuuge lump out and I can hear again!
Don't waste your time - demand the warm water session!!!
I read that partial wax blockages etc can cause a tinnitus like sound.
Get someone to have a good look in there for you as it could just be wax.
Olive oil does help to soften the wax slightly before you have them cleaned out but not much, I have warmed it slightly in the past.
I’ve used this recently combined with olive oil and I eventually shifted the blockage but it was hard work.
https://www.otexear.com/the-otex-range/otex-ear-dr...
Get someone to have a good look in there for you as it could just be wax.
Olive oil does help to soften the wax slightly before you have them cleaned out but not much, I have warmed it slightly in the past.
I’ve used this recently combined with olive oil and I eventually shifted the blockage but it was hard work.
https://www.otexear.com/the-otex-range/otex-ear-dr...
I've been using the beconase for about 4 days now and it's helping with congestion, will see what else it does over time. I've also got some dual action "ear wax remover" from boots to try. Hopefully that will at least soften the problem up before I inevitably ask for the referral. The post above about having it done sounds so satisfying.
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