You know, like on an airplane. Except it’s just one ear and no amount of swallowing will make make it go away. It doesn’t really bother me but it’s kind of odd. I’m seeing my doctor shortly, on other matters but does anyone know what this could be? What should I ask said doctor?
Hey! I have had the same problem for about 10 years?? I think so. I haven’t always been aware of it because at first I thought it was partial deafness from my days in a loud band. I do have some of that but I also noticed at some point the ear seemed stopped up too.
I have had a bunch of wax in my ears before that got irrigated out, so I had that done again. Hardly ANY wax came out and my ear was still about the same. An Ear, Eye, Nose, Throat etc. specialist once took a look around and thought it was some kind of allergy related stuffed sinus (or something like that). Thing is, I’ve never really had much of an allergy problem, but I thought that it was possible I was starting to have one.
He prescribed some allergy/decongestant stuff but I never particularly noticed that it helped much. It’s so hard for me to describe the problem or judge for myself how any diagnosis or treatment is working because the condition seems to vaguely come and go some. In that way, it is also like the ear thing you get on the plane except I rarely get the instant relief of the ear suddenly “popping” open.
I eagerly opened this thread because I have recently been thinking a lot about my poor right ear and what can be done. I have had, and I am now bothered even more by diminished hearing, but also some distortion of sounds… sort of like what you’d get from ear plugs, except it seems to make my ear unpleasantly more sensitive to certain sounds, but an odd assortment of them (some high chime-like sounds, some lower sounds).
I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, but I’m just glad and a little amazed to hear (ha!) of someone else with a problem that sounds (ha!) a lot like mine.
Maybe we can compare some notes and share some possible solutions. The whole thing is really starting to piss me off.
Try holding your nose and blowing hard.
I have had the same thing for a few months now. Last ENT specialist suggested it is TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint). He said my ear looked fine (no wax, good pressure, passed a hearing test) but that a jaw problem often is felt in the ear. I have been stressed out with work and family health issues, so he suggested I may be grinding my teeth at night, and clenching during the day. I have tried to make a concious effort to stop clenching while at work, and avoid hard, chewy foods (bagel, apple, chewing gum, etc) along with laying on a heating pad at night.
It is definatly better, but not back to normal. Some days are better than others. It does indeed bother me more after a long stressful day, or after eating, and is best in the morning now.
I’m going to give it another couple of weeks, and if it has not gone away, I will return to the doctor again.
I’m familiar with the symptoms. I was diagnosed with Eustation Tube Dysfunction and had tubes placed in my ears. Still took about 6 months to get my full hearing back.
Do not hold nose and blow. This can equalize pressure to counteract the effects of say a plane descent, but if the issue is fluid, you will be forcing more fluid and bacteria into a wet inner ear.
I know. I have gone through this a number of times and I am currently ‘under water’ from my latest trips.
I want tubes.
Decongestants are often prescribed, but I’ve yet to find even anecdotal evidence they work.
Yawining is sometimes effective, as it opens the middle ear.
Maybe you have swimmer’s ear like I did.
I think the most likely scenario is impacted wax. It’s not that uncommon, and easy to solve. You can either use an over the counter solution like Debrox or have your doctor remove it. And if you go to the doc, it’s very easy to diagnose.
I’m dealing with this right now, too.
I’ve been having various treatments for an ear ‘infection’ since February, but nothing has helped so far. I had a thyroid ultrasound this morning for a slight swelling on one side of the neck, and am sfinally seeing the ENT next week or so.
I’ve had about 5 courses of antibiotics, a steroid pack and all manner of antihistamine/decongestants. I’m really sick of going to the pharmacy for more expensive stuff that doesn’t help.
The Doc says both my eardrums are retracted, but only the left ear bothers me. I have never had problems with seasonal allergies.
Except for the neck swelling, this is exactly what I’m going through. Left ear is the one that bothers me, but the doctor says that both of my eardrums are depressed.
Well, okay, I do get seasonal allergies… but I’ve had worse before without having ear trouble. I’ve never even had an ear infection.
I’d really like to get over this before August. I’m going on a dive trip to Belize, and if I can’t clear my ears I’m screwed.
I flew across country during all this and was expecting to have pain. Fortunately, it was just uncomfortable and not painful. Mu neighbor reports she had a similar problem last year that finally cleared up on its own.
My neck initially swelled following a flu shot last October. The doc wasn’t interested in it at that time. I’m not entirely sure he’s such a great doc. He is easy to get an appointment with, though!! I just want to be able to talk without this echo in my left ear.
Possibly the first sentence is the reason for the second. 
I have been having the same problem on & off for the past couple weeks. I went to the doc & she said there was no problem. Last night, it was back & I took some Benedryl. Other than being really groggy all day today, the ear problem seems much better.