Ears v muffled - won't pop - driving me mad

[dahliaaa]

I've had a series of colds straight of the back of covid.
About 10 days ago both ears became blocked and haven't cleared since. Hearing muffled and head feels full / odd.

(Only time I've had anything like it with both ears was many years ago when pregnant - I'm menopausal now - did wonder if could be related to hormone changes(?))

Anyway this is what I've tried. None have worked and it's driving me to distraction.

Olive oil ear drops in case wax (probably not as both ears at same time (?))

Steroid nasal spray (Beconase) then when that did nothing after a few days pharmacist suggested Otrivine Extra Dual Relief nose spray. That just seems to have dried everything up but ears still same.

Pinching nostrils / closing mouth and blowing. This would normally always pop my ears but nothing happening.

Driving me to distraction any suggestions welcome !

@embolass

gibbons yes in theory that would work alternatively , however I think the pressure would be v strong compared to popper which is a steady gentle flow. Good thinking though

Maybe a good friend to blow up one nostril then?

I'm amazed how much better my ears are I really hope everyone else finds relief soon too.

Took an antihistamine this morning. Just made me feel sleepy (and it's a non drowsy one )
Anyway had no effect on ears. Asked pharmacist on way into work. She doesn't think it's wax but worth a look.
Then had a call from Specsavers to say that they were cancelling my appointment later this week before of staffing problems.
Have managed to get one somewhere else at end of today. Not hopeful that will do anything but at least I'll know one way or another if any wax .
Feeling very miserable and disorientated.

I'm having the same issue - it's water behind the eardrum in my case. Doctor prescribed a steroid/antibiotic eardrop but I haven't been able to get it anywhere because there's a supply issue. It's driving me mad!

@peachgreen I'm sorry you're suffering the same. Must be so frustrating for you. Hope they can offer an alternative

@peachgreen

I'm having the same issue - it's water behind the eardrum in my case. Doctor prescribed a steroid/antibiotic eardrop but I haven't been able to get it anywhere because there's a supply issue. It's driving me mad!

That sounds infuriating! If there's a supply problem the GP should be able to issue you a replacement script for an equivalent.

Update ...
there was 'some' wax in one ear which has been cleared but the other ear has Otis media effusion (basically adult glue ear.) He can see lots of fluid build up.
It was really useful to talk to the guy who was very helpful but disappointing that I didn't actually get any improvement from the appointment.
He said to stop the olive oil straight away but to keep up the steam inhalation at least twice a day. Ok to keep going with the nasal sprays (they're not decongestants.)
He also said to buy one of the Otovent balloon devices. Sorry @GibbonsGoatsGibbons it didn't seem the moment to mention your ingenuity although you could be on to a winner. No local pharmacies have any so will order online.
Fingers crossed there's some improvement soon.

Update ...
there was 'some' wax in one ear which has been cleared but the other ear has Otis media effusion (basically adult glue ear.) He can see lots of fluid build up.
It was really useful to talk to the guy who was very helpful but disappointing that I didn't actually get any improvement from the appointment.
He said to stop the olive oil straight away but to keep up the steam inhalation at least twice a day. Ok to keep going with the nasal sprays (they're not decongestants.)
He also said to buy one of the Otovent balloon devices. Sorry @GibbonsGoatsGibbons it didn't seem the moment to mention your ingenuity although you could be on to a winner. No local pharmacies have any so will order online.
Fingers crossed there's some improvement soon.

Sorry don't know why that posted twice !
Was going to add - he said there was eusatachian tube dysfunction in that ear too.

Thanks for update dahliaaa that’s good it’s been seen and reassuring for you. Least you now know what’s causing it and what will help. It will go, its just not a quick fix unfortunately.

Thank you @embolass

I think the site update ate my reply!

Sorry they didn't have any magic answers for you dahliaaa buy I hope that knowing it'a "just" glue ear/ eustachian tube dysfunction is a comfort/gives you a pathway at least

my hearing seems to vary from 50%~75% better but my smallest has now got a cold so I'm worried she'll pass it on & I'll be back to the beginning again!

Hope the colds flying around don't give you any added problems @GibbonsGoatsGibbons

My otovent has arrived from Amazon so will give it a go in sec. meanwhile I've just discovered that the olbas oil I've been using for inhalation has an expire date of April 06 ! 

Probably best to a new one tomorrow !

06!!! 😂
I thought my 2018 paracetamol was bad!

Have fun blowing up balloons with your nose - maybe we'll come out of all this with a circus act at least 😆

With the otovent there seems to be lots of different ways of doing it on YouTube - including letting the air deflate again into your nostril.
Does anyone know the most effective way to do it? I'm delighted I've actually managed to blow it up ! Took me loads of attempts.

(I'm expecting to end up in the papers with my 2006 olbas oil )

Reporting back on day 2 of otovent in case anyone else searches for this in future.

(I'm doing it by holding some water in mouth. Blowing out by nostril then swallowing the water.) Also steam inhalation / saline nasal spray once a day and steroid nasal spray once a day.

No improvements yet. And hearing pretty bad at work today. V difficult following conversations. All v frustrating.

If anything think hearing slightly worse. Also after doing otovent this evening had more 'fuzzy sounds' in ear which made it worse. That's reduced a bit now.
Ears haven't actually popped yet.
Still hoping it might help - although I wonder if it doesn't straight away then it won't (?)

Hi dahliaaa I'm sorry you're still so (understandably!) frustrated with this.

Based on my reading/experience i would suggest cutting out or at least minimising dairy in an effort to reduce the "gunk", drink gallons of liquids for the same reason, & I really find a nasal rinse works better than any sprays do

also patience (looking at a calendar I think mine was 4 weeks before improvement & it's not gone yet)
Keeping my fingers crossed for you

Thanks for the encouragement @GibbonsGoatsGibbons !

Interesting thing (sorry TMI) I'm menopausal and started having some probs with reflux / indigestion for the first time since I was pregnant many years ago. My ears were blocked then too so I googled to see if any link and there are various things suggestion that there is with glue ear etc. I'll be an ENT specialist by the end of this !

Sorry things are still rubbish!
I would defo get the ear popper from Amazon if you can afford it. That’s what popped my ears, I used it a lot daily along with the ballon blowing, but it was the ear popper that was the most effective!

Thank you @embolass. Definitely considering the popper - although as I know there is definitely fluid there I might be better to try abd get rid of that first (?)
How long did it take for yours to clear in end ?

I think it was 1-2 months, I used to get a feeling of pressure building up and up (it was just one ear) which was absolutely horrible. I remember one weekend in Sep 2020 being really distressed with it. It was defo just a combination of both devices over weeks that it eased. By the time my ent appt came in the Nov it had eased no end 👍🏻

That's really useful to know - thank you

Oh yes & there's a nerve that gets irritated by the stomach acid with reflux so you get horrible earache. No one tells you this stuff BEFORE you get pregnant

True ! They never do

Quick extra question ... I've just realised that I've lost my sense of smell over last few days. Was definitely ok a few days ago because I spilled a perfumed body cream and could smell it.
Have tested for covid and negative.
Did anyone else have this with blocked ear (Ear still blocked.)

Not me. My sense of smell went for a while with covid (was really horrible as I'm a weirdo "super smeller" normally!) but not associated with the ear stuff which came later for me.