OT - how to clear my ears?

[El Pap]

If it bothers you enough, make an appointment with an ENT. If it's wax, he/she will get it all out in a matter of seconds, and you'll have instant relief. If it isn't, they'll do a tympanogram; basically they stick a probe in each of your ears that beeps a few times, and then prints out graph. It will tell the doctor whether there is fluid buildup behind the eardrum, call "otitis media". If you have that, there is no quick fix, probably prescribe a decongestant, perhaps teach you some tricks to try to pop your ears (that didn't work for me) and send you home. There is also a minor surgical fix, called a myringotomy, where they insert a small drainage tube through the eardrum, but they aren't likely to recommend that unless you've been suffering with the condition for months. Good luck.

[Sleepy Boy]

Hey Babs: I wear hearing aids, so have a lot of wax problems. I have tried the ear candles, can't say they helped. Don't use them without someone helping you, could catch your hair on fire. Serious. Use them over the sink. I use warm water and the little bulb thingy, works for me. Can you hear me now??? Thanks, Larry...Hope you get better...

[Gerryk]

Babs what's the results of nasal flushing? If your that plugged up I don't think one flush will clear it all out but it should start to feel better.
I am betting flushing will help.

[wlk]

I had an ear infection in late December that caused my left ear to remain painfully plugged up. I had a lot of fluid behind the eardrum. I went through two antibiotic prescriptions, and then prednisone that was prescribed to reduce imflammation. Nothing worked. Still plugged, with major hearing loss, loud ringing, occasional pain and dizziness, the ENT finally perfomed a anmyringotomy procedure, puncturing my eardrum and inserting a tube. When he poked the hole in the eardrum it provided INSTANT relief. He used a little ear "vacuum cleaner" to pull out as much fluid as possible. My hearing is normal again, and pain and dizziness is gone. The tube will come out on its own in 8 to 9 months, and the eardrum should repair the hole on its own.
This ear infection was a new experience for me, never having anything like it before. My ENT does not think it was aggravated by the CPAP. I had a serious sinus infection just prior to the ear infection.
Oddly enough, even with the sinus infection I was able to keep clear enough to continue using my nasal mask. The use of the humidifier actually seemed to clear me out at night.

[Babette]

Well, I didn't do the nasal flush. I felt so dizzy yesterday, I just scraped by and survived. Walking makes me feel like I'm on a boat.

I'll try to do it today.

I've been swallowing and managing to clear my ears a little. I hold my nose and blow out, and that helps some, too.

I think I'm getting a little better every day, but I'm still not 100%. At least I managed a full day at work yesterday. And have hopes I'll make it all day today.

I've done one course of Levaquin, and am on the tail end of the Prednisone. I want to finish it and then decide if I need more treatment. The doctor said if I didn't feel better to come back and we'll reevaluate. I kinda feel like if I give it a few more days I'll be okay.

Cheers,
B.

[wlk]

Hi Babs,

I am glad your ear is clearing on its own! I resorted to the ear drum procedure after nearly three months and no relief. My left ear never partially cleared, just remained 100% stopped up. I sincerely hope your ear continues to clear on its own!

[Babette]

Don't blow one nostril at a time after you do it, though.

Okay, so what do you do after you've done the flush? I've never been able to do the "sniff up" thing - it makes me gag badly. I just usually do a big blow out through both nostrils and then dab repeatedly with kleenex, and blow again as needed.

Thanks for your help!!!
B.

[tattooyu]

Don't blow one nostril at a time after you do it, though.

Okay, so what do you do after you've done the flush? I've never been able to do the "sniff up" thing - it makes me gag badly. I just usually do a big blow out through both nostrils and then dab repeatedly with kleenex, and blow again as needed.

Thanks for your help!!!
B.

That sounds right. If you are able, and don't have uncontrolled high BP, bend forward at the waist and let the top of the head hang down. While doing that, blow out both nostrils and then slowly come up. If you do a Google search for "neti pot videos" or "neti pot instructions", you will find a lot of good resources out there. Just don't hurt yourself.

[SaltLakeJan]

Babette, You can't be sick, you are the one who cheers everyone up. I'm sorry you have ear problems. I had something once called Benign positional vertigo. I was very dizzy and when I talked, I felt like I was in a tunnel, and my voice sounded different to my ears. I was lightheaded and I felt like everything around me was moving.

I had to focus my eyes on something solid before I stood up, and not turn my head abruptly, but turn my body in the direction I wanted to go. It only lasted 'bout a week, but it was a weird sensation. Do any of your symptoms sound like this. I found out what I had when I later discribed it to a doctor, and he gave me the diagnosis.

Keep us posted how you are doing.

Jan

[Babette]

Okay, I did the Sinus Rinse over lunch. Doesn't seem to make much difference. I never do think it makes much difference for me.

I don't think I'm as dizzy as yesterday. Hopefully it will gradually go away.

Cheers,
B.

[KengEsq]

Well, I've been sick for over a week now. Some sort of upper respiratory infection. I seem to get them alot lately. Not cpap related - just related to the fact that it's flu season and everything attacks my lungs.

Anyway, what's bugging me now is the ears. I can't seem to clear them. I've swabbed them with peroxide, and tried the ear drops and flushing them with the bulb full of water, but nothing seems to help. My BF says Ear Candles are a hoax and not to bother with them. Anyone have any tips? I feel like my head is stuffed with cotton balls.

Thanks!!!!!
Barbara

Hi Barbara,

I have not read all the posts in this thread (I'm lazy) but I did read your second post about holding your nose and blowing out to clear your ears. You are safe trying to clear your ears in the same way as scuba and other deep divers do. Hold your nose, open your mouth and blow hard into your nose (not out your mouth).

[Babette]

Thanks Ken! I've been doing that a bunch. Seems to help. Seems to clear, then it kinda stops back up again gradually.

Thanks all!!!!
B.

[OCNorsk]

Ear candling. I subscribe to the theory that if it sounds to good to be true, then I've got to try it. However, I've read about ear candling on and off for several years. Even I won't try them. You could actually get hot wax on your ear drum.

How about Kinoki foot pads.

[plr66]

Did your doc rule out Vertigo?

[talktobon]

tattooyu is right about the neti pot blowing technique.