Wise women of Mumsnet what on earth is going on with my ear?

[lostinwales]

Help! I have a really odd noise going on in my left ear, sort of like someone making balloon animals and occasionally a pop pop pop noise, if I think about it there is some reduction in my hearing. This is a major problem as a) I am completely deaf in my right ear so anything wrong with my left leaves me completely deaf and b) I am going to a hugely important family wedding tomorrow and I can't look like the odd relative who keeps trying to look at her own ear and has a constant mildly puzzled face.

It could also be happening in my right ear of course but there is no way of knowing, well, help me wise ladies, what should I do?

I had a similar thing in one of my ears. Couldnt hear properly either.

First I tried the over the counter remedies for trapped water/swimmers' ear as I happened to have some at home to give it a go!

When that didnt work I went to the doctor and was told it was probably due to having had a bad cold/virus (which I had a couple of weeks before) and sometimes things can get a bit blocked up and it should clear within about 6 weeks. She said if I wanted to help it along I could try some sort of nasal spray (beconaise??) over the counter, as all those bits are connected and that might help.

As it happened, I didnt bother with the spray and it did clear up in a few weeks so was a nuisance that was all.

But given your circumstances I wouldnt chance it, I would go to the GP and just get it checked to be on the safe side.

Thank you schooltripworry (great name btw, school trips always have me in a flap, the day the boys went miles to go down some caves I couldn't sit still all day). I will see if my GP's can fit me in today, I wanted to be sure she wouldn't think I was a loon going in and talking about hearing things, but as you understand what I am talking about I feel reassured!

Ear infections can sound like rice krispies popping.

Ooh do they? I am going to be ill for the wedding and forever feel the weight of my parents disappointment again. Bugger, but do they also sound like squeaky balloons Still, on the plus side I won't be able to hear all the loud posh people at the wedding, I can just sit in a quiet corner and get sozzled (for the pain obviously)

The squeaky balloons noise could be your ears trying to equalise the pressure, again related to an infection. I would see GP you may need antibiotics.