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Original poster

What is going on with my ears?

24 replies

BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 03:06

For a couple of weeks now something weird is going on with my ears.
I can only describe it as like fluid in there that makes like a creaking noise. Think of timbers creaking.
It seems to get worse towards the evening.
I have no pain, itching, soreness, discharge or smell.
I feel like they need to 'pop' but they won't, no matter what I try.
It's driving me mad.
I've not been swimming or flown recently, but I am panicking about it as I am due to fly in a couple of weeks and worried that it may make it worse.
I've tried to get a doctor's appointment, but it's over three weeks and I will already have flown
Help. Has anyone else had this? How did you cure it?
Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 03:08

Just to add, when I wake up on a morning, it doesn't seem bad, but as the day goes on it seems to worsen.
I've not had any recent illness's either.

OP posts:
regmover · 05/09/2019 06:36

Don't try to "pop" them, you can do damage! Go to the chemist and get some wax softening ear drops. This is caused by wax.

cricketmum84 · 05/09/2019 06:43

Have you had a runny nose too? Sounds a bit like glue ear. Fluid gets trapped behind the eardrum and causes strange watery ear feelings and tinnitus.

I have it at the moment - I didn't even think adults could get glue ear!

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General health
amylou8 · 05/09/2019 06:57

Wax. I used to get this all the time, as wore earplugs due to snoring DH. I resolved the problem with a divorce....but the chemist do drops for it too 😁

Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 07:08

I don't think I have tinnitus, as I have no ringing / whistling noises? It's a possibility though.
I would say I'm not unbalanced, but that's a matter of opinion 😅
I will try the ear drops though, is there any brand recommendations?
It's driving me mad.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 07:09

It's probably cheaper and quicker to get ear drops than a divorce 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 07:10

No, not had a runny nose.

OP posts:
GenevaMaybe · 05/09/2019 07:19

Normally this is caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction

Livebythecoast · 05/09/2019 07:33

You could try Otex ear drops but a cheap alternative is a couple of drops of warm olive oil in each ear 3 x a day. This is what Dr's recommend before patients have their ears syringed as it softens and breaks down the wax if indeed this is the problem which is the most likely cause.

Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 08:38

I will try that @Livebythecoast.
Eustachian tube dysfunction doesn't sound too nice ( a bit like my ears )
I will have to Google that one and hope it's nothing too nasty 🤔

OP posts:
SpadesOfGlory · 05/09/2019 08:44

Yep, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Glue ear basically. Try decongestants to see that clears the fluid in the middle ear? The cracking is the ear drum trying to move but it can't during to pressure in the middle ear. I've never known it to be wax, and if it was tinnitus (which it can be, tinnitus isn't just ringing) it would generally be worse in the morning when you're in a quiet environment.

Mrsjayy · 05/09/2019 08:49

I use olive oil every other night my ears were so bad i get mine from the chemist because the bottle has a dropper that is easy to use

Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 08:49

Now have warm olive oil and cotton wool stuffed in my ears. Waitrose extra virgin olive oil no less.
Currently googling eustachian tube dysfunction, I dont fancy sticking lit candles down my earholes so I'll pass on that ( besides, tea lights might be a bit difficult to get in )
Thanks to everyone so far. 🙂

OP posts:
Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 08:52

I've got a bottle of benylyn decongestant somewhere in the kitchen, I will take a couple of spoons of that too.
Christ, who knew ears could cause such a pantomime.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 08:53

@SpadesofGlory

OP posts:
Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 08:54

Good thinking @Mrsjayy
I will invest in some of that. I've just tipped some in via a teaspoon....not a good look.

OP posts:
SpadesOfGlory · 05/09/2019 09:06

Don't even think of ear candling, it's a complete scam and you'll never find an ENT consultant or anyone in the profession endorsing them. Hopefully decongestants help, if not and it's persistent then get a referral to ENT. It can become more difficult to sort the longer it's left. Worst case scenario, adults can be fitted with grommets just like children with glue ear, but only for recurrent cases.

Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 09:10

Great, now I might need to shove grommet down my earhole....Wallace won't be best pleased!
@SpadesOfGlory
😆

OP posts:
chocolate08 · 05/09/2019 09:14

Try nasal spray. I've had similar, and nasal spray really helps. I use Sterimar, and available on the shelves.

Original poster
BeepBeeeep · 05/09/2019 09:36

I will add that to my shopping list @ chocolate 08 😀 thanks.

OP posts:
Mehripoop · 27/03/2021 07:10

@BeepBeeeep did it clear up? I’ve had this since October...

EmmaStone · 27/03/2021 08:11

I had Eustachian Tube Dysfunction following a heavy cold. It was so annoying, and I saw an ENT consultant a few times, and had hearing tests to check there had been no damage to my hearing. Funnily enough, the best times for me were when flying, as my ears totally popped and cleared, and everything was crystal clear. It then went back to how they were on landing. It gradually improved, but took a very long time - a year at least. Nothing seemed to help, it was just time.

Mehripoop · 04/04/2021 08:29

@EmmaStone thank you. Did you have pain and tinnitus too?

EmmaStone · 06/04/2021 09:06

Not so much pain, more like a feeling of pressure which could get uncomfortable. Yes, had spells of tinnitus, but thankfully they didn't last too long. My ears still feel a little imbalanced, it's been over 2 years, I think it's just what it is. I did wonder if it was some kind of complication of reflux, some research I did suggested it could be.

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