To buy an Ear Popper?

[EnjoyTheSlopes]

Does anyone have any positive experiences?

My inner ear has been blocked since November. GP has given me a steroid nasal spray which gave me nosebleeds. I’ve also tried the Sterimar over the counter salt water nasal spray. Nothing helps. I’m back at the doctors next week as he said to go back once it’s been 3 months if no improvement.

I did a bit of late night mumsnetting last night and read about ear poppers. They’re not cheap but I’m desperate! Unfortunately I can’t find the thread now where I read about it.

Any advice?

Thank you

I have never heard of them until last night's ear puncturing thread. But if you're desperate, do it.

Why not just wait the week for the GP appointment? The GP is medically trained and can refer you to specialists but randoms on the internet could give you dangerous advice.

Ear popper?

Have you looked into having your ears vacuumed, I had it done and it was a game changer!! The audiologist pulled out solid ‘ear plugs’ from both sides, the difference was amazing and it took about 20 mins - much quicker then syringing and all that.

Is it your inner ear or is it your Eustachian tube though that's blocked?

I'd see the GP first

Me too,,GP first,,the ear is a very delicate mechanism,,do not do anything which might risk damage even if these devices are freely available.

Clairaloulou I don’t know. I just said “inner ear” because it’s not wax. It’s inside. The pain is behind my jaw.

TyrionsNextWife never heard of that, but I’ve never had ear troubles before. Was that wax?

I was hopeful there might be a quick fix out there, but it’s £100 and I’m dubious...

You’re right, I should wait and see what GP says next week.

I guess I needed a rant. Thank you!

OP your Eustachian tube is the tube that connects your ear to the back of your throat. This can become blocked with mucus - and it sounds to me like this is what you have. In kids it's called glue ear. Have a look online for treatments for that. I think there's one thing that is similar to the ear popper but much cheaper.

Look into Otovent

Worked on da glue ear like a charm and less than £10

I’ve had this problem - been to GP, ENT, had scans and still not sorted. Intrigued by the ear popper you’ve found.

@Thehop ah that's what I was thinking of but couldn't remember the name!

If the pain is in your jaw it might be worth seeing a chiropractor as they could adjust that?

My GP gave me an Otovent - unfortunately it didn’t work for me. Seems like it’s a good solution for others though.

I have a syringe I bought from Amazon I think. Fill it with warm water and squirt it down to irrigate.
It does work to some extent but never as good as when the nurse does it.

@EnjoyTheSlopes Yes, it was basically solid wax that made the pressure build up and stopped me hearing properly - it got really bad after spending time in the Middle East (hot and dry climate made it worse).

The ‘tool’ was basically just a long suction pipe and it pulled the blockages out. The relief when everything got dislodged was amazing! I had it done about 18 months ago, and no problems since.

Just properly read your post and you’ve said it’s not wax - vacuuming wouldn’t help in that case

Marmite - it’s not a jaw problem, I’ve had a blocked ear for 3 months. I was just trying to explain that it’s inside (i.e. not the outer ear) - the pressure builds up and that’s where the pain is 🙁

When I get ear and sinus pains I sometimes get cranial adjustment from my chiropractor. Helps everything flow again. Just thought it might be an option to look into if the go can't help. Hope you get it sorted.

GP

I have exactly the same problem and was referred to ENT, unfortunately they weren’t interested in listening to me and were investigating my hearing loss instead of looking to relieve the pressure from the eustacian tubes.

I had this for about 3 months as well... I did a lot of 'tapping', and have you done those jaw exercises - I saw them on youtube. It's a pity the ear popper is so expensive - I was tempted to get one, but put it off because of the price. I'd probably keep doing the exercises. Do you do the blowing gently while holding your nose. In the end mine never 'popped' all at once, but lots of teeny pops, and gradually gradually it wnet away. One day I realised it was completely clear. It's very annoying. I used to put the bad ear on a hot water bottle. I dunno though. Maybe everythign I did helped a little. I feel for you xx

Marmite - food for thought. Thanks.

MrsPNut - frustrating isn’t it. Good luck with yours.

Ceci03 - I’m glad yours is better. I’ve just googled the jaw exercises, hadn’t seen these before. Thank you! @MrsPNut - worth a try for you too?

I do sinus irrigation every day because I had a few long periods of blocked ears every year and it’s really helped. I’m tempted to get the ear popper though. Never heard of it before!

I have exactly the same problem but it's been going on for 3+ years now.

I've tried various nasal sprays and an Otovent. Tried exercises too. The doctor first referred me for a hearing test (there's no noticeable hearing loss) and finally an MRI to rule out a tumour on the acoustic nerve.

I just cannot clear my ear and it's annoying and at times very uncomfortable!