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

[tadink]

Hey all -

we've covered damn near everything else here, but have not ever seen any discussion on what to do with 'plugged ears'. She says it feels like she can't clear the pressure, and it is giving here headaches. We've tried antihistamine, decongestants, chiro, allergy relief, etc.

Visual inspection indicates some swelling, but she's otherwise symptom free. No runny nose, no sinus pressure, no temp....just this 'fullness' in her ears.

Ear infection maybe?

any thoughts?

thanks

td

[Embraer]

I used to get allergy immunotherapy (shots) when I was little. I got off them, then had constant pressure fluid in my ears. as soon as I went back on them, the pressure subsided. I would just go to an ENT doctor and get it squared away asap. no point in her being miserable

[Cajundaddy]

Not a Dr. but my wife and I are avid scuba divers so clearing the ears is essential. My wife uses a combination of sudafed (little red tabs) and ear drops developed to prevent swimmers ear. The drops are part alcohol and if she warms it to 98F first it is effective at melting the ear wax and clearing the passages. Now she can always clear her ears at will and dive to 100ft comfortably.

Good luck!

[genrex]

Could be water in the ears.... very common. There is an increased risk of ear infection, so she does need to take care of this.

She can try doing it herself (using isopropyl alcohol)... the directions are on the internet. If that doesn't work, then her doctor can take care of it (probably by using isopropyl alcohol).

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[jyl]

Visit an urgent care clinic? Seems like the sort of thing those places could handle quite inexpensively.

[lane912]

had a friend......
she went to a loud concert and crammed some tissue in her ear and it got stuck-
went to the ER with her and watched as the DR gently rinsed her ear with warm watter for a hour with little results-
the DR left for a moment and came back with more saline and I sugested that she hold her nose and mouth and blow gently, the DR expressed a little aprehention to it but agreed that she do it gently. nothing happened untill I pluged her other ear then a very large brown mass of wax poped out- it lookes like wheel bering greese

[Aragorn]

I am not a medical doctor either, but have experienced similar symptoms in the past.

For me, it has always been wax buildup causing an infection (I have tinnitus.) A quick trip to the doctor and a flush out cures the loss of hearing and pressure in the ears (caused dizziness also which lead to headaches. ) After treatment usually consisted of drops in the ears and some kind of anti-inflammatory.

I would get to a doctor and have them look inside and see what is going on.

[Nickshu]

Go see your friendly neighborhood ENT doc.

[bob deluke]

Ear candles found in a health food store. About a foot long, insert in ear, light large end, burns slowly and creates a vacuum that pulls out wax buildup. Very safe, simple and doesn't affect the workings of the inner ear. Have used them for years..

[genrex]

I think the butt-plug candles are mis-labelled....

Better talk to your doctor about that....

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[GH85Carrera]

Ear candling and chiropractors will help as much as Unicorns, crystals and pyramids.

Go see a ENT. A real certified Ear Nose and Throat physician; a doctor of medicine.

She may have a simple problem or the start of something bad. One way to KNOW is a ENT. It is only her hearing. If you want a deaf wife, keep trying alternative solutions.

[BReif61]

This happens to me from time to time. Hearing diminishes, sounds like I'm in a fish bowl. Had a doctor use a HUGE syringe full of warm water to blow all the nastiness out; found a DIY kit at a pharmacy. Fast, simple, effective.

[Bill Douglas]

It won't do any harm, but you could try Volsol. It prevents and can help clear up surfer's ear (same as swimmers ear but includes sand, surboard wax, bikini tops...).

[madmmac]

Some women will do anything to not listen to their husbands.

Seriously, go to the Dr. Hopefully no permanent damage has been done.

[Rikao4]

don't flush or do anything..
have a Dr. or Tech take a look inside first...
having had several ear surgeries I know...
biggest thing you should put into your ear..
is your foot or elbow..
Q-tips are the worst !

Rika

[wdfifteen]

When my tinnitus is bad it produces a sensation of having something in my ear plugging it. In fact, I first discovered I have tinnitus when I went to the doc for the "something in my ear" problem. Eustachian tubes were clear, ear canal was clear, no physical problem, just the sensation.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

...........to the doc for the "something in my ear" problem. Eustachian tubes were clear, ear canal was clear, no physical problem, just the sensation.

What did you do about the sensation?

Thanks,
Tom

[targa911S]

Oh I so wish this could happen to me.....

[ckelly78z]

I remember my mom using a suction bulb on my dad's ears. I don't know if she used hot water to help melt the wax or not, but I do remember seeing some ugly big pieces of wax.

[john70t]

Once had inserts to keep the Eustachian tubes open in my youth.
Headaches, ringing, etc.

There are cleaning kits at the pharmacy that are supposed to work.

Now I use this method now Hydrogen Peroxide for Earwax Removal, followed by a warmer shower with extended spray right into the eardrum and drain.
If the water is too hot, you can get dizzy and lose balance though.