Blocked ear sensation

[carart]

I have had a constant feeling of pressure in my ear, like it needs to 'pop', (not painful most of the time) for almost a year. Sometimes it gets worse when I have a headache/ migraine and the pressure is far more intense and sometimes causes ear ache too. I don't know if the headache is causing my ear to become worse or if my ear trouble is causing the head pain.

Back in January my GP prescribed me some drops as she thought there may be some fluid there. I took them for over a month with no improvement. She referred me to the ENT. Cameras up both nostrils showed there was nothing that could be causing the pressure but he prescribed me some nasal sprays to take for a month which also had no effect. Unsurprising, considering he couldn't identify a problem.

He advised me to go back to my GP once the course of med had finished and they could either re-refer me to either him or maybe the maxillofacial dept as there was a possibility my jaw could be causing a problem.

So, I am waiting to speak to my GP this week but was wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar and had any suggestions about what the hell could be going on. It is so frustrating and causes me to become irritable when it's bad.

Hey not sure if this is the same at all? The inside of my ear was sticking together so it felt like there was pressure and I literally had to pull the skin around my ear which caused it to pop but meant I could hear again properly. Advised to put a few drops of olive oil in and it's gone. First time in 18 Months! Weird. Maybe it was a build up of wax but nothing came out? Either way, sounds very frustrating for you :(

Thanks for you reply. I don't think it's that as various doctors and nurses have looked inside my ear from outside and inside and there isn't anything physical causing the problem in the inner or outer ear. It REALLY is frustrating! I waited months to see the ENT and was really hoping he'd say, "Oh yes, There's lots of fluid. I can drain that out for you now." Was so downhearted when he said he couldn't see a problem. :(

Any tinnitus or hearing loss?

I have always had some tinnitus. Mild and fleeting. No hearing loss; I was tested when I went to see the ENT specialist. I do feel like I can't hear as well when there is a lot of background noise though. If someone right next to me is speaking, I can't hear them very well but a clear hearing test would maybe suggest this is in my mind?

By always, I mean since my teens so about 20 years.

Hi,

I have been experiencing this too for about 8 months. No hearing loss (I've had the test), no tinnitus and when referred all the consultant could see when looking in my ear was signs of a severe inner ear infection (?). I've had a camera up my nose - apparently I've got a deviated septum. Told to come back in 3 months if it's no better.

I've tried all sorts. Holding my nose and blowing to try and pop my ear, ear candles, yoga positions, otovent device, steam inhalation, prescription nasal sprays, ear drops and even Vicks on cotton wool in my ear. All to no avail.

How are you getting on? Any improvement?

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. No improvement. It's been worse the past couple of days in fact. My ENT consultant couldn't even see sign so of infection. Nothing. So weird. Have had an appt with my GP this week and she's referred me to the maxillofacial dept to see if there's anything going on with my jaw that could be affecting my ear. So we shall see!

Maybe keep in touch on here...would be interesting to hear what's going on!

Definitely. Would be good to find out if you've discovered anything that has helped/solved the problem. Let me know how you get on with the maxillo referral. Fingers crossed for you!

How are you getting on?

hi, i know this is an old post, did your ear clear up?