Aargh, fed up with my 'weak ears'

[Fpbww]

I've always had ear problems, countless infections when I was a baby/ young child which left me with some permanent but minor hearing loss. I could never get them wet as a child, only ever went swimming with earplugs (cotton wool and vaseline) and still never put my head underwater. Even now the thought of water going inside them makes me feel a bit ill.

Every time I get a cold, it goes to my ears. Remember my mum always telling me growing up that my ears are my weak point. They're either hot, itchy or achy. I never get a sore throat which is something, but my ears drive me mad. At least with a sore throat you can gargle, I can't do anything with my ears. My DP suggested I direct the shower head into my ear - he does this apparently. Can't think of anything worse.

I know that in a day or two my ears will be fine til the next cold but in the meantime they're just so uncomfortable. Does anyone else suffer this or just me?

have you tried taking sudafed or equivalent? Blocked sinuses (common with a cold) can cause ear pain.

Yes it's really annoying but it is what it is.

Thanks for the Sudafed tip I will try that, I do also get sinus pain from time to time so will help that too.

I've been taking cold and flu stuff today but it doesn't make much difference, my ears are so hot (inside) this evening.

I’ve had repeated problems with my ears too since I was a baby - repeated ear infections, glue ear and grommets both at 7yrs and then again as an adult. Excessive ear wax, syringing, can’t hear when there is lots of background noise but hearing tests are always normal.

The latest was congestion in the eustacian tube and the ENT consultant recommended using an Otovent gadget. They can either be prescribed by your GP or purchased from Amazon or Lloyd’s Pharmacy. I have found it fantastic and it helps within 1-2 days. My DS(6) has also used it.

I use beconase to help my ears, stops the popping and whooshing.

I had my tonsils and adenoids out as a child but although putting grommets in my ears was discussed around that time my parents refused (not sure why) so I never had that done.

My ears very rarely pop, it feels like they want to but it doesn't happen often. Occasionally when I sneeze I can get them to do it.

The heat is so annoying, it's started now with a bit of tinnitus like whistling too. Keep telling myself a few days and it'll be better.

I absolutely love ear drops, have you ever tried them? They have different kinds for different symptoms.

The thought of putting anything in my ears makes me feel a bit ill. DP is always trying to get me to put olive oil in my ears as he's convinced my hearing issues are due to impacted wax ( they're not) and my ears are full of wax (they're not).

I feel like anything I put in my ear is going to hurt, so am reluctant to try!

Please don't put oil or water in your ears, it could result in a serious infection. Push for an ent appt. I used to work in audiology and with an ent consultant and we saw many folk that had tried different remedies that had resulted in serious problems.

Not oil! Sorry I didn't mean oil, I meant like ear drops you could get at the pharmacy. I also really hate aching ears and the drops for ear pain really help me. I also sometimes get ear drops for allergies if they are itching. Could you try doing the drops one time or are you too nervous to try? I also like holding a hot towel over my ear sometimes if they are sore... I hope you can find some relief, ear pain is truly maddening.

Have you seen a specialist? I have a problematic ear which used to get blocked a fair bit (no way as bad as yours though) and one time I had it looked at by they mentioned the ear canal was narrow. So now I just leave it alone to do it's thing and it's been much better particularly after flooding it with those fizzy ear drops fairly recently.

Would definitely push for a referral to ENT if you can.

Does your DP have money riding on your ears getting further damaged? Direct the shower head into them, put olive oil in there?! Yikes!

I have ears like you have described. I've found cutting out diary, exercising, making sure I drink plenty of water all helps a great deal. I also sleep with my window open slightly every night and a open bottle of vicks beside me on my bedside table really helps. I steam my sinuses daily with a bath or shower. I sleep with 2 or 3 pillows to keep my ear tubes moving. I have to be careful about perfumes, washing powder etc as these all can have an effect in a negative way. When my ears are really bad if I have a cold or if they just clog up then I inhale hot water with vicks in it with a towel over my head that really does the trick.

I hope this helps. Sending you 💐 op. I have lived with ear, sinus problems for over 40 years.

I'll be honest even one drop at a time makes me nervous, because if it hurts I can't wash it off/ out!.

I was under a specialist throughout my childhood but haven't seen anyone since my last full on ear infection some years ago - what I get now is never as bad as a proper infection, but it is literally every time I get so much as a sniffle that I can guarantee i'll have sore, itchy or hot ears.

My ears are very small and the canals are narrow,, this may well exacerbate the issues.

I always sleep with lots of pillows, have since childhood. I've not used Vicks for years but I will give that a go, Perfumes, some shampoos etc all really irritate my ears, that is definitely getting worse as I never remember my ears itching when I sprayed perfume.

I did have a long shower after my last post though kept the water out of my ears! Feel like the steam helped a bit. Pain is more in my sinuses than ears now, ugh I hate colds!