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 !

Yes I completely understand that - you'll see from my messages below that I found it really disconcerting. Fingers crossed it passes for you soon.

hope you feel better soon @Summer70

my ears were completely clear but I now have a shocking cold (thanks DS!!) which has made them crackly again although my hearing is ok so far 🤞

I found these exercises good (but him annoying 😂)

I found direct heat (hot water bottle) better than steaming & as above I can't live without my nasal rinse thingy.

You definitely need to play around to find what works for you & of course be patient!

@dahliaaa @GibbonsGoatsGibbons thanks so much for replying, honestly really reassuring. I’d already found the guy pulling his ears & wiggling his jaw. Need to do those in private!!! Currently nothing is popping or moving but v early days for me. @GibbonsGoatsGibbons hope you get better quickly x

@GibbonsGoatsGibbons hope the cold (and crackly ears !) clear up quickly

Thanks for the good wishes @dahliaaa & @Summer70 definitely improving here

Very private place for the exercises @Summer70 😂

@dahliaaa Hi there I know this is quite an old thread but I am being driven MAD by my one blocked ear, it’s really causing me some serious anxiety issues and has flared up my panic attacks, especially in the middle of the night. Also 35 weeks pregnant almost so generally feeling miserable as it is.

So it first started 3 weeks a go when my son brought home a horrific virus, we all had raging temperatures, cough, sore throat, blocked nose, sick a couple of times, aches and pains etc. you get the picture, it was dreadful. It got better for my partner and two children but for me it turned in to what I’m assuming was a sinus infection. Pain all around face, head, the worlds most congested nose known to man, no taste or smell and the worst of all.. the blocked ear.

Had antibiotics for that but after 5 days felt NO different at all, in fact only felt worse. The sinus infection symptoms had improved tbf but my ear and nose felt like they were about ready to explode from the constant congestion. Went back to gp who actually looked in my ears this time and I was ready to hear it was just wax build up and honestly I would have preferred this as was looking at appointments to get it suctioned the night before. But no she prescribed me a different type of antibiotic saying it looked like an infection and there was indeed no wax build up at all.

Started to feel really depressed yesterday as no improvement at all with my ear or congested nose (although ear has started to pop occasionally when I yawn) and had a Covid test lying around and to my surprise it was positive. So I really believe when I went back to the doctors a second time in despair that was probably the beginning of it as today the test is negative, partners is raging positive and has only just started getting symptoms.

Anyway, sorry for the long post but just wanted to give you the back story before I ask if it ever got better for you years on? And if so was it just time or did you do anything specific? I feel really trapped by it, it’s an awful feeling and after 3 weeks I’ve honestly had enough.

Hello Lefmry
Sorry to hear of your ear issues. I’m one of the contributors from this post, suffered like OP, you’ll see my story looking back. It is v distressing and as I remember I felt panicky, as it was in my head and couldn’t escape the horrible feeling. Mine started after what I now reckon was Covid too, summer of 2020. Left with blocked nose , so much blowing ,streaming , anti bs, became chesty, steroids etc couldn't clear it. Eventually it did but I was left with this feeling of pressure and muffled/dull hearing in one ear. Tried anti histamines, Sudafed, etc then bought the couple of devices we discuss up stream, the ballon device and the ear popper ( Amazon). I used these daily for weeks and by time my ENT appt came Nov 2020 it had v much improved. Was prescribed Avamys steroid nasal spray. Combination ot time, the gadgets and nasal spray it did go. But it was about 3-4 months. I’ve had the odd feeling that it’s returning but I use the nasal spray daily still and have a few blasts of the ear popper and it’s not returned to that level. Hope this helps x

@peachgreen did yours get better ? X

@dahliaaa hi i know this is old! Im suffering atm! Did it get better? If so when? X

I get this a lot and it really affects my day to day functioning. Only thing that works for me- get someone to form a seal around your nose with their mouth and blow- the relief is instant! Trust me!!!