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Original poster

Glue ear in adult?

20 replies

PostOfficeInTheCoop · 27/12/2023 17:44

Has anyone experienced this/can offer any advice please? I have had what I suspect was covid, in amongst that 3 weeks ago my ears felt very blocked, like I was in a metal box and everything was echoing, couldn't hear much and it was quite scary to be honest like I wasn't aware of my surroundings. It lasted 2 days. Since then my hearing has probably been at around 70%, hear bubbling in my ears, there's definitely something going on but no pain (well sometimes very slight pain but not often), no temp, ears not red etc. Next none urgent GP appointment is 10th Jan so got that booked. Has anyone suffered similar/can offer any advice please? I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

OP posts:
Iwishiwasasilentnight · 27/12/2023 17:47

Could it just be ear wax build up? Have you tried treating for wax?

Original poster
PostOfficeInTheCoop · 27/12/2023 17:50

It's hard to describe but I'm positive it's not wax, I regularly clean my ears and OH has had a look with a torch and says no sign of wax either. Also it's in both ears, I feel like it's a fluid? I can pay locally for wax removal it's £90 but I debating doing it just to ensure its not wax. It's driving me mad!

OP posts:
bryceQ · 27/12/2023 17:51

Same thing happened to me I just posted in general health and had lots of advice if you find the thread

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
cmax2005 · 27/12/2023 17:52

Could be sinus related from having Covid. If they're blocked, your ears can't drain so feels like you're hearing things underwater.

Original poster
PostOfficeInTheCoop · 27/12/2023 17:57

Thanks so much to you both. Could be sinus as like I said I have had the typical cold symptoms. Will check out that thread, thank you Bryce!

OP posts:
Helenahandkart · 27/12/2023 18:47

I get this a lot after rupturing my ear drum about five years ago. I do the trick you do on aeroplanes of holding my nose and popping my ears, which alleviates it slightly.
it’s so annoying but should settle down eventually. You need to swallow a lot as well to help the fluid drain.
I tried the ear balloon but didn’t notice it being any more effective than the aeroplane thing.

Original poster
PostOfficeInTheCoop · 27/12/2023 19:21

I can't get them to pop, thanks for the suggestion though. Can't believe how something so innocuous can be so frustrating! I may try the balloon. When we talk about fluid draining does it actually come out your ear? Probably a stupid question!

OP posts:
bryceQ · 27/12/2023 19:54

Mine are too sore to try and pop ☹️I'm so frustrated.

NearlyMonday · 27/12/2023 19:55

I find heat really helps. 10 mins in the steam room at the gym and my ears start popping which results in them draining (down the back of my throat).

i also found Hopi ear candling very helpful too. This will draw out wax and encourage your ears to drain.

Poppy61 · 27/12/2023 20:03

The Ear Popper is good for glue ear, but expensive

mrsconradfisher · 27/12/2023 20:17

Yes. I have it all the time, my Eustachian tubes block at the slightest hint of a cold. I have to take a nasal spray called Mometasone pretty much all the time to keep the tubes open.

Feralgremlin · 27/12/2023 20:23

I had similar with covid apart from I had pain in one ear until the eardrum perforated. GP said I had got an ear infection from covid and the pressure had just got too much in that ear, the other one she could see the fluid build up behind the ear drum. This variant seems to cause some pretty severe congestion and sinus issues! I hope you get answers OP!

vipersnest1 · 27/12/2023 20:26

Yes, I've had it. I had a nasty bout of severe sinusitis (I found out later that I've had ongoing sinusitis for years, but this time had a nasty infection). I could hear the gloop falling on to my ear drum when laying down at night. The Eustachian tube from this ear comes out into my throat in a less usual place so that might explain what happened.
I ended up with 50% hearing loss in that ear, so had grommets. It was fine, except that the grommets weren't keen to come out, so I had my eardrum torn by a doctor trying to pull off the grommet that was stuck to it. (The other one was glued to my ear canal with wax, so wasn't so problematic.)
Everything healed fine and my hearing returned to normal.

Foxymoxy68 · 27/12/2023 21:06

I had exactly the same problem in the summer following a really bad cough; significant hearing loss for several weeks with a crackling sensation occasionally and tinnitus. It was really scary!
I had a free hearing test at Scrivens who wrote to my GP stating that I needed to be seen urgently. The GP saw me the next day and immediately referred me to an ENT specialist at our local hospital. However, there were no NHS appointments for 6 months!
I had no option (and I hated myself for doing it!) but to go private. It turned out I had a significant build up of fluid in my middle ear caused by the cough/cold. The consultant prescribed a steroid nasal spray (which can be bought over the counter) and otovent.

go.skimresources.com?id=470X1716091&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.otovent.co.uk%2Fwhat-is-otovent-for%2Fglue-ear-in-adults&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2Ftalk%2F_chat%2F4971295-glue-ear-in-adult%3Freply%3D131745177

These both worked a treat and I was back to normal within a week. It was such a relief! Definitely worth trying.

Just to add-i thought initially I needed my ear syringing-went along to a place who do it locally and there was no wax. The nurse there advised the hearing test.

Hope you get it sorted.

Foxymoxy68 · 27/12/2023 21:08

To answer your question, no the fluid didn't drain out of my ear. Not really sure where it went! 🤣

Helenahandkart · 27/12/2023 22:04

The fluid drains down your throat. It’s on the inside of your eardrum, so there’s no way out through your outer ear.

NearlyMonday · 28/12/2023 08:11

I had no option (and I hated myself for doing it!) but to go private. It turned out I had a significant build up of fluid in my middle ear caused by the cough/cold. The consultant prescribed a steroid nasal spray (which can be bought over the counter) and otovent.

@Foxymoxy68 can you remember what the nasal spray was called?

mrsconradfisher · 28/12/2023 09:08

NearlyMonday · 28/12/2023 08:11

I had no option (and I hated myself for doing it!) but to go private. It turned out I had a significant build up of fluid in my middle ear caused by the cough/cold. The consultant prescribed a steroid nasal spray (which can be bought over the counter) and otovent.

@Foxymoxy68 can you remember what the nasal spray was called?

I would imagine it’s Beconase, I believe it contains the same steroid as the Mometasone spray I was prescribed by a GP.

FestiveGrinch · 28/12/2023 09:55

I had this for ages and it appears that it was blocked and poorly draining Eustachian tubes. During the day sometimes it would clear then at night would block up again and I’d have muffled hearing in the morning. It took a long time but I did sinus massage regularly and steaming and eventually it cleared. I’m pretty sure that next cold I have it will be back and I’ll have to start again. Look up Eustachian tube drainage there are lots of ideas online to help.

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