Blocked ear sensation

[WindowWanker]

Hi, for the last week I've had a blocked ear sensation in my right ear with some humming. I don't have a wax build up or a cold or anything like that, I can pop my ears okay when I hold my nose. So I'm not convinced my ear is actually blocked!

I do have some hearing loss, but I found out about that a few months ago and it hasn't got any worse (I've had it checked again) so not sure why I now have this blocked ear feeling and humming.

Can anyone advise?

I have blocked eustachian tubes in my ears. Mine started off as you described

Thanks for replying @TSJ19, were you able to find something to help if?

Mine gradually got worse over time i started feeling dizzy and quite unbalanced. My doctor eventually refered me to ENT at the hospital. Still on going a year later. Im awaiting a CT scan now

Have you had Covid?

Yes I had it at the end of January. I didn't really have any symptoms though.

I'm sorry to hear it's ongoing, it sounds really unpleasant for you.

@TSJ19 how are you now? Im feeling soo dizzy because of my tubes being blocked

Hi still much the same unfortunately. My ENT doctor wanted me to have grommets fitted but the consultant didn't want to go ahead with fitting them as he thought it would make my symptoms worse.

My ears feel very blocked and are constantly popping at the moment and that can make me feel dizzy. I have another appointment booked for the new year as my hearing loss is a lot worse now.

Have you seen anyone about yours?

@TSJ19 im so sorry your going through it still :(
i have had ear issues, saw ents they said to me it will just gi on its own.
I currently had a bad flu and now my tubes are blocked! Im soooo dizzy! Im so fef up, not sure what else to do. X

It's horrible I do feel for you. They think mine was caused from having Covid.
One thing the doctor told me was that chewing gum or sucking on boiled sweets helps to open up the tubes in your ears.

On my CT Scan it showed that mine aren't opening up properly which is causing all my symptoms.

@TSJ19 thats soo annoying for you! How come they said the grommets could make it worse?
x

I was all ready for the surgery had childcare sorted etc and then the consultant phoned me a few days before and said he really didn't recommend I have it done and that it could make my hearing loss worse

This is so interesting, is this a known covid side effect. I’ve got nothing helpful to add but I’ve had the same thing since halfway through lockdown. I put it down to Covid but GP was pretty dismissive and said it would resolve itself (over two years ago now).

@TSJ19 thats soo frustrating:( i hope it clears :( have you heard of the ear popper ? Ive read alot of positive things . From people suffering for years and it sorted it maybe worth a shot? X

I have a blocked Eustachian tube and my GP recommended. something called an Otovent which you can buy on Amazon. You just hold it to one nostril, block the other nostril, and blow. It works!! Amazing. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Otovent-Autoinflation-Device-Treatment-Effusion/dp/B07NV7MD7W/ref=sxts_rp_s_a_sp_1_0?content-id=amzn1.sym.f84819a4-07b1-4706-b2d1-d0dcd86c3a96%3Aamzn1.sym.f84819a4-07b1-4706-b2d1-d0dcd86c3a96&crid=44BDGASDK9JS&cv_ct_cx=otovent&keywords=otovent&pd_rd_i=B07NV7MD7W&pd_rd_r=d32fdcee-98f0-4969-9a42-f70db70c123f&pd_rd_w=EmJN9&pd_rd_wg=0eC54&pf_rd_p=f84819a4-07b1-4706-b2d1-d0dcd86c3a96&pf_rd_r=DX8Z0WFD4EJATETPWQ6N&qid=1701365719&sprefix=otove%2Caps%2C82&sr=1-1-3e71b174-79f6-4f59-86e0-8355a51fbb63

Ok sorry for the massive link. It takes you to the Otovent on Amazon I promise!

I forgot to say I did use a Steroid nose spray for months, I expect that's what they will give me again when I see them in the new year

@AnnoyingPopUp thankyou for sharing :) I currently have one and it isnt helping much :( thats why ive spent more on this one. How long did you suffer with it for? X

@Starrrz I suffered for at least 4 months, then got Covid which made it much worse, then a couple of months later I saw my GP for something unrelated & she saw that I kept rubbing my ear…. And it went from there. You have to persevere with the Otovent, and some days I still wake up with a blocked tube and have to snort & blow into the device for a few days but it always unblocks in the end. Hay fever makes it worse too, so I’m quite happy at the moment!

@AnnoyingPopUp did you feel dizzy with it? Xx

Dizzy with the blocked eustacian tube? Only occasionally, if I moved my head a certain way. Do you think you might have labyrinthitis? I had that years ago and I was really dizzy, it was horrible. Or post-viral vertigo? - a colleague has that right now and it is awful for her. Or crystals in your ear need to be rebalanced? - there are exercises you can do for this if you Google it but I’m afraid I can’t remember what they’re called.

@AnnoyingPopUp so the drs said i had labyrinthitis as i had vertigo and dizzynes . Woke up when i hd the flu then it eased the 2 weeks after the flu it came back that i was vomiting etc. Its been nearly 3 weeks and still feel dizzy. Is that norm for labyrinthitis? But my ears had presure and pain. Dr said yesterday blocked tubes. How long did the dizzy ess last when you had it ? X

Labyrinthitis can take weeks to go - I had it years ago, but it lasted ages (not trying to scare you but reassure that it’s normal and it will go eventually).

@AnnoyingPopUp thankyou! It has made me feel better :) xx

I use The Ear Popper. Not cheap, but effective

@Poppy61 what symptoms did you have? And how long for x