Need some help - wife's ears are plugged - 30days and counting

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by mossguy

What did you do about the sensation?

Thanks,
Tom

I haven't found anything that will help. Sometimes I feel like sticking my head in a wood chipper. The first couple of times it seemed to last forever, but now when it comes it's less than a day.

[HarryD]

My doc told me I had a wad of wax in my ear. He suggested I try an over the counter ear cleaning kit before seeing the ENT guy. Followed the directions and wads of wax looking like old wheel bearing grease poured out. Took abou 20 minutes.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by HarryD

My doc told me I had a wad of wax in my ear. He suggested I try an over the counter ear cleaning kit before seeing the ENT guy. Followed the directions and wads of wax looking like old wheel bearing grease poured out. Took abou 20 minutes.

+1
Home remedy is recommended by my Doc as well. "If it doesn't clear, come and see me."

[tadink]

THANKS for all the suggestions -

It does not appear to be wax buildup, at least not that the docs can see when looking in. She's tried a bunch of wax cleaning ideas....but maybe we'll make another run at that to be sure.

Also tried benadryl, various decongestant products, etc.

Keep those ideas pouring in - and thanks!!

td

[tadink]

Quick update -

We think it has to do with TNJ issues, she grinds her teeth at night we are now considering that her jaw is out of whack, causing the discomfort in her ears....

anyone have any experience with TNJ and any remedies that have worked?

thx

td

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by tadink

Quick update -

We think it has to do with TNJ issues, she grinds her teeth at night we are now considering that her jaw is out of whack, causing the discomfort in her ears....

anyone have any experience with TNJ and any remedies that have worked?

thx

td

Often TMJ/TMD pain is from the disc in the joint slipping forward and the "ball" of the ball/socket of the joint riding on what's called the "retrodiscal tissues" which are the tissues that are behind the joint. The disc does not have much of a nerve supply, but when it slips forward and the joint rides on the tissues behind it (which are full of nerves and blood vessels), then ALOT of pain can result. The auriculotemporal nerve services this area, and also portions of the ear, hence the referred pain to the ear.

You need to find a TMD "specialist" in your area. The Academy of Craniofacial Pain http://www.aacfp.org/directory/index.cfm would be a good reference to find someone. Often treatment involves splint therapy to try to recapture the disc back in the correct position, then another splint to hold things stable. Sometimes muscle relaxants are helpful too. Often lifelong maintenance treatment is needed after the joint is stablized, once the ligaments that hold the disc in place are stretched out, this sort of problem can happen over and over if you are not careful. Sometimes orthodontics can help to hold the jaw in a better position.

Hope this helps.

[Gooch1971]

Go see an ENT.

About 3 years ago I had fluid build up in 1 ear following a mild cold. The ear did not become infected but the fluid would not drain because a vacuum had been created. It didn't hurt much but I couldn't hear worth a darn on that side until an ENT installed a tube. That provided instant relief and then fell out after 2 years.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by tadink

Quick update -

We think it has to do with TNJ issues, she grinds her teeth at night we are now considering that her jaw is out of whack, causing the discomfort in her ears....

anyone have any experience with TNJ and any remedies that have worked?

thx

td

I youtubed it and found jaw exercises. They worked for me. My ringing in my ears has also dropped in volume. Very tight muscles on the joint which effect the ear canals.

[HarryD]

My wife had TMJ but after many years of wearing the splint at night it appears to be mostly resolved.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

30 days and hasn't seen a doctor? WTF? If most things go on more than about 7 days there's a problem and one ought to seriously consider having it looked at.

See also, "how to turn little problems into big problems"

[jhynesrockmtn]

I grind at night and have worn a dental appliance for it for years. Can't sleep without it now.

[DanielDudley]

You like anecdotal stories ?

I have a friend who wouldn't go to the doctor about his ear. He lost most of the hearing in his left ear, and had to go see a doctor eventually anyway.

And the joke is, ''He wouldn't listen.''.

Ha,


Ha.

Not very funny, is it. That's because your hearing is no joke. And guess what ? I have another friend who is going through the same thing for over six months. He too has lost much of the hearing in one ear. But hey, think of the time and money he is saving...

This is me being nice. Nobody wants to say I told you so later.

[jcommin]

I have chronic hearing/sinus problems ever since I can remember. I don't take clogged ears lightly. If your wife has had this for 30 days+, putting this topic on a public forum is the last thing I would do.

Go see an ENT.

I have hearing loss - permanent.
I have Tinnitus - constant ringing in the ears since my 20's , I'm 63.
I have had (2) sinus surgeries.
I have had Vertigo - that is nasty
You lose the sense of balance with ear blockages.



If all of the over the counter stuff doesn't work - you need to take this to another level.

All the best.

[tadink]

thanks once again -

point of clarification, she has seen a doc and verified that there is no wax buildup....and we have Kaiser, so there is the usual 'wait and see' BS as we escalate up the food chain with them.

we are trying to get into the local TMJ specialists now.....and thanks for the encouragement to escalate this!!

TD