# What is with my ear?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 28, 2007, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823 "2007-01-28T06:51:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823/1 "2007-01-28T06:51:16Z")

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I don’t think this falls under asking for medical advice because it is not causing any pain or discomfort. For about the last month my left ear keeps making “popping sounds” if I push on or move it around with my hand. I’m in no pain but it is annoying. I tried some ear drops and it stopped but then started again after two days. I don’t know if it is some pressure issue or something and popping my ears doesn’t help. What could be causing this?

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**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823/2 "2007-01-28T06:54:13Z")

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Too much ear wax? I’d assume there is wax on either side of the ear canal that sticks together slightly, and “pops” when it gets moved.

Have you tried Hydrogen Peroxide? A capful applied and then rinsed out while in the shower tends to help me.

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**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823/3 "2007-01-28T06:55:06Z")

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Yep I’ve tried hydrogen peroxide and it didn’t help with the noise.

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**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823/4 "2007-01-28T06:57:55Z")

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You could try an antihistamine to see if it’s an allergy-related issue. Of course, you may just end asleep after taking one of those, so it might not prove much.

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**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823/5 "2007-01-28T19:48:46Z")

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I’ll give this one more bump and I think I’ll try some decongestant or something.

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823/6 "2007-01-28T22:13:21Z")

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Try a doctor, to talk to you and actually look in your ear.

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**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-my-ear/389823/7 "2007-01-28T22:15:54Z")

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I’ll be on my father’s insurance in a few weeks and if it continues I’ll go see a doctor then.