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Original poster

What's wrong with my ear?!!!

36 replies

Purplerainbow · 21/03/2017 19:54

The other week, a very annoying sort of whooshing pulsating noise developed in one ear. Lasted a few days and went. It has come back again and is doing my head in. Google comes up with tinnitus?? I can hear fine out of that ear and I have been using drops at night but it doesn't seem to be helping. I'm flying on Sunday and really worried about the air pressure?

Can anyone help?!

OP posts:
ArriettyClock1 · 21/03/2017 20:04

Try and get it looked at asap. If it's wax and needs syringing, you'll need to get it done asap as you cant have it done within 48 hours of flying.

Godstopper · 21/03/2017 20:10

Pulsatile tinnitus.

Chances of it being caused by wax are about zero.

Chances of air pressure doing any damage. Very low.

You do, however, need to get this checked out if it's persistent as there can be more sinister causes (remote, but possible). The cause is turbulent blood flow past your eardrum. What's causing that? Perhaps a kink in an artery (benign). A blood vessel attached to the eardrum (harmless). But you need to rule out e.g. aneurysms. You'll probably notice it more at night when lying down.

Mine is a side effect of cochlear implant surgery. It sometimes drives me mad hearing my heartbeat and whooshing, but I'm not in any danger.

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 21/03/2017 20:22

Ah man really? Bet I can't get an appointment. Can the gp just look in the ear and say yes it's tinnitus? Obviously I know they can see any wax build up....

I read somewhere stress can cause tinnitus. I'm very stressed at the moment, does any one know if that's true?

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Original poster
Purplerainbow · 21/03/2017 20:23

I can hear it as loudly in the day as I can at night....

It made me feel a bit sick as at first i thought it felt like what it would if a moth got stuck in there and was flapping its wings!!!

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ArriettyClock1 · 21/03/2017 20:26

There are so many possible causes, it's worth getting it checked out.

Having said that, my dh had it for 10 years and the GP told him 'it was one of those things' every time he mentioned it (it wasn't, in his case).

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 21/03/2017 20:51

There's always been something wrong with my ears, I had a hearing test done at about 18 or so as when I was texting (phones obv used to have proper buttons!) the tapping would sort of echo in my ears but they couldn't find anything wrong. It happens quite often but also at random times.

OP posts:
Godstopper · 21/03/2017 20:52

Stress can, but this is a different type of tinnitus that usually has a vascular origin. Most causes are harmless, but it's one that does need checking out just incase.

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 21/03/2017 20:54

My dad has tinnitus and finally wears a hearing aid but his problems were caused by using heavy equipment without using ear defenders for a long time when he was younger! I hope it is wax and not just 'one of those things' as it's doing my head in!

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Original poster
Purplerainbow · 22/03/2017 05:55

So I'm guessing gp can only really do anything if it's wax ?

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Newmanwannabe · 22/03/2017 06:05

I get this sometimes. It's awful. I have found a heat pack sometimes helps with the symptoms, or what about trying a chiro or physio?

I haven't had it checked out yet, as I never seem to have the time and then it goes away. I do think you should get checked though

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 22/03/2017 06:20

I see a chiro regularly, she does manipulate as well as cranial ... do you think it could be possible that would help then?

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Original poster
Purplerainbow · 22/03/2017 07:47

Should i try an ear candle before going to gp? I'm going to struggle getting an appointment ..

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Newmanwannabe · 22/03/2017 08:01

I suppose the ear candle isn't going to do any harm, I'd be more inclined to see your chiro, and maybe even take some anti inflammatories regularly (if you're allowed them) for a couple of days and see if that helps incase its related to pressure on a nerve?

SafeToCross · 22/03/2017 08:08

I seem to recall I went to audiology with this and a doctor drew me a diagram to show how the sound occurs. Worth getting assessed when you have time. You can get things like this www.amazon.co.uk/Kencap-The-Brand-New-Eardoc/dp/B009GHR72M/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1490169967&sr=8-4&keywords=Eustachian+tube&tag=mumsnetforum-21 to relieve pressure if you have pressure with it (but I wouldn't dare take it on a flight!) I would try to get a referral when you get home.

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 22/03/2017 08:23

WELL I managed to get an appointment this morning! I'm surprised!

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SafeToCross · 22/03/2017 21:42

How did it go?

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 23/03/2017 06:27

THanks for checking, that's kind. Gp said it was wax Blush and a load of it. Thats what causing the noise I can hear, she said it's sound going over and getting trapped. She wasn't very helpful really with regards to me flying etc

Sort of said I should leave it then sort of said get them syringed...

I can't get them syringed as there aren't any appointments free before I fly. So I'm just carrying on with the otex ear drops but I'm worried about the plane and the air pressure!

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Weebleswobbles · 23/03/2017 06:39

You'll need to pay for it but I'd recommend micro auction - find one near you at this link

www.earwaxclinic.co.uk/

Weebleswobbles · 23/03/2017 06:43

Microsuction!

picklemepopcorn · 23/03/2017 07:27

You can get someone to help you do your ears... Got a sporny friend or partner?

Use a syringe and warm water. A few minutes after you've put ear drops in, lean over the sink and squirt the water into your ears. Do it lots of times. After a while the crackling from the drops stops. Lumps of wax will come out.

I do it for DH, save him going to the surgery.

Don't use cotton buds!

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 23/03/2017 07:31

No no one to do that for me! Could I do it myself? Won't I just end up with aload of water behind the wax?!

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Original poster
Purplerainbow · 23/03/2017 07:34

webble I found one of those clinics not too far from me but so expensive!! Have you used them yourself?

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Original poster
Purplerainbow · 23/03/2017 08:43

My dads to had the suction thing done and said it hurt??

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ArriettyClock1 · 23/03/2017 13:15

DIY?

This has good reviews.

picklemepopcorn · 23/03/2017 13:48

Hoovering the ears is really irritating, and makes DS feel a bit anxious. Basically a mini vacuum nozzle poking about in the ear canal.

I think it would be hard to get the syringe in the right place. I find it tiring doing it for DH and that is when I can see what I'm doing.

Keep up the ear wax drops, check with a pharmacist that you've got the best type.