Blocked ears

[Teddy Lop]

Have had blocked ears since Tuesday, well left one proper blocked, right one perhaps on-off mildly - difficult to tell as its disorientating.

Have been taking antihistamines, no effect, have had occasional hay fever in the past but no other symptoms, slight pressure pain if I try to unblock ie yawn sometimes, could it be something I should seek help or just wait it out? Tx.

[av185]

If its wax build up try olive oil.

Extra virgin or normal.

[Saleen836]

Blocked most likely with a build up of wax, couple of drops of Olive Oil into the ear then massage it in, do this twice a day and make appointment with your doctor/nurse to have the ears syringed (they will most likely to tell you to do the Olive Oil thing before they will syringe anyway)

[hornmeister]

If the oil doesn't shift it in a few days go to the docs.
Might be an inner ear infection, especially if you're getting aches and pressure feelings as well as disorientation. Doc will give you drops and or antibiotics.

Edited by hornmeister on Monday 25th March 14:29

[Gareth79]

These work pretty well at removing wax:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Medi-Grade-Remover-Syring...

They are safer than the old bulb type, since the water stream doesn't come directly out of the end - it is 4x smaller jets that has a decent washing effect. Obviously this sort of thing is counter-productive to use too often, since your ears just end up producing more wax to counter the dryness of it being washed out.

Also as suggested, it could be eustachian tubes rather than the ear directly - if you don't normally have problems with ear wax it could be that.

[hyphen]

Otex ear drops, sold in supermarkets and everywhere else.

[Shaw Tarse]

Put a towel on a radiator, put a piece of kitchen towel/loo roll on top lay ear on top of this.

(yes we did convince a lad at school to do this )

[DickyC]

Shaw Tarse said:

Put a towel on a radiator, put a piece of kitchen towel/loo roll on top lay ear on top of this.

Preferably with head attached.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

There's a bug going around apparently - I've had it. It feels like there's cotton wool stuck in your ears.

[FredAstaire]

hyphen said:

Otex ear drops, sold in supermarkets and everywhere else.

the feeling of it working inside your ear is tickly-agony!

[R8Steve]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

There's a bug going around apparently - I've had it. It feels like there's cotton wool stuck in your ears.

I have this at the moment! Can't hear out one ear at all and the other ear is muted.

First time I've ever had what feels like blocked ears, as mentioned it can be quite disorientating.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

R8Steve said:

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

There's a bug going around apparently - I've had it. It feels like there's cotton wool stuck in your ears.

I have this at the moment! Can't hear out one ear at all and the other ear is muted.

First time I've ever had what feels like blocked ears, as mentioned it can be quite disorientating.

Yeah I've never had it either - it's weird. My wife works in a hospital and this bug has been doing the rounds there. It lasts for about a week.

[anonymous-user]

Olive oil can just make everything all gooey and Otex can be a bit astringent and dry your ear too much, but you can get drops with bicarbonate of soda in them which do the same job but are milder in action.

[numtumfutunch]

Gareth79 said:

These work pretty well at removing wax:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Medi-Grade-Remover-Syring...

They are safer than the old bulb type, since the water stream doesn't come directly out of the end - it is 4x smaller jets that has a decent washing effect. Obviously this sort of thing is counter-productive to use too often, since your ears just end up producing more wax to counter the dryness of it being washed out.

Also as suggested, it could be eustachian tubes rather than the ear directly - if you don't normally have problems with ear wax it could be that.

If you have a perforated ear drum wont that just blow your brains out??

Seriously OP, go and see a doctor

Good luck

[Gio G]

I have the same symptoms as you OP. However one ear is worse than the other...Doctor said build up of wax over time. I am using Earol at the moment to soften the wax and booked in next week to have micro suction done..I understand it is better than syringing..

G

[JJ55]

Micro suction is amazing. Had it done twice with excellent results. No pain or discomfort & unbelievable what they get out.

[Siggy61]

I have perforated ear drums and can only use olive oil to soften wax, then suction to clear out. water is a definite no no.

[Teddy Lop]

Still blocked! Week of olive oil drops and a blast with the shower done nothing, so visited the qwak today who said its just was and to keep doing it then get a syringe.

Someone I know had what they thought was an ear infection, took some antibiotics to no effect, went to the doc to be diagnosed with a malignant tumour and was gone 3 weeks later. Makes you worry...