Clogged ear for 5 month - lots of exams that show nothing

Hi Olizzieo,

Thanks for your answer.

My ear seems to have pressure in it, I can't pop my ear (or I can say that I can but it's for only one second), it makes no difference on my hearing, but, it seems like it got more air inside (meaning, some sense of relief and not blocked, but for only one second), moving my jaw does nothing, and I got my ears checked (tympanometry and BERA tests), putting my head between my knees does nothing as well, also, no dizziness.

The only thing that really helps is if I support my neck and laying down, also, if I cover my ears and put small pressure, it also helps (I guess it is distracting me..), if I wiggle my finger in my ear it also creates some relief.

The thing is, that it is frustrating me and it's always there. I got no idea how to solve it and what I can do in order to eliminate this feeling.

I can’t lift much since it causes my ear to explode, I can’t fly since I’m so scared it will become worse, I can’t rest for one minute without this sense of pressure in my ear.. It is literally makes me insane.

I'm going to chiropractor but I see there is no difference as for now... 

Any idea?

Thanks once again,

Mor

I had took some drops to clear wax just to be on the safe side, did this candle thing to suck the wax, washed my ear etc.. So I guess nothing is there.

Do you have copies of your audiogram and tympanometry results? I would like to have a look at them. I think you can private message them to me or maybe post them here? Do you clean your ears daily or weekly with cotton buds? Candles don't remove wax and the makers in Australia have had to take that claim off the packaging. The "ear wax" that you see in the candle is the same as when you hold the candles and burn them in your hand. When was the last time someone looked in your ear?

How does lifting something cause your ear to explode? Can you describe that in detail? Is it pressure or sound explosion? 

If you put pressure on your jugular veins - under your ear where you can feel your pulse, does it change the pressure in your ear?

Has the swelling in the lymph node completely gone?

Have you tried putting wax softener in your ear and asking the doctor to wash it out? 

Could you ask an ENT if the tensor tympani muscle could be the cause of the sensation of pressure? It's the only other thing I can think of. I don't know if they will test for this or how they would test for it.

Over time, has the pressure changed in any way ie got worse? Have you double checked what was written on the MRI? No doubt the ENT has excluded an acoustic neuroma with the MRI, but it's worth reading through the results yourself just to make sure nothing has been missed.

You didn't mention that your voice echoes in your right ear, does that mean that you don't hear any change in the loudness of your voice?

If you are unsure of the effect of flying on your ear, you can test this by going up a lift to the top floor of a very high building or driving to the top of any surrounding hills - if you have any. You can also go diving if you are near water, as the change in pressure from this would be similar, except with diving, you don't have to go any deeper if it becomes too uncomfortable. In a plane you obviously couldn't tell them to stop. If your tympanograms were normal and showed very little negative pressure, then it is highly unlikely that a change in pressure would be a problem as you would be able to pop your ears as the plane ascended or descended. If you are deperate, you could ask an ENT to perforate your ear drum to assess if there is any change in pressure. If there isn't then you know the sensation of pressure isn't coming from your eustachian tube/middle ear. The tympanogram should be able to tell you this though.

If some relief occurs when you put pressie on the jugular vein, what does that typically indicate?

Thanks,

Erica

Olizzieo, Thanks for all the effort to assist with finding the issue that I have.

Well as far as for your questions,

I don't got the audiogram tests, one of the ENT took them and I forgot to take it back. but, I will try to grab a copy. 

I visited at a ENT proessor (head of ENT at one of the best hospitals in my country) and he also saw nothing in the audiogram.

I don't clean my ears, just the external ear with a wet towel (since I know it might lead to wax issues).

as for Wax softners, I had tried it - no success aswell.

While I'm training at the gym, if I'm lifting heavy - I get this pressure buildup in my ear. I learned that while I'm trying to breath slowly, it decreses the pressure and I could continue training.

I did also BERA exam (for the typani muscle) - with electrodes and some device that made a lot of noise - it came out fine aswell.

The pressure had been decreced over time, but it's still there.

THE ONLY THING THAT ASSISTED is taking some nasal spray (every 3 hours) - but it's not lasting long..

The nasl spray is called "Alnase", it is made from  phenylephrine HCI, Naphazoline HCI and Mepyramine maleate.

The relif is really really small, but there is one..

I did double chacked the MRI and the CT aswell, but nothing there..

I feel doomed

Last thing, as for the lymph node - it's OK now..

P.S - this is how it all started

i had this was told retracted tube and i have tmj now i have tinnitus lately  so it can get worse. Not saying you will, saying my own experience. Hopefully it does calm and go away. It has for me before. Also a sign of fibromelagia but a rhematoid doctor would diagnose that. Sometimes it comes and goes  as well within a 2-3 month time frame. Mine restarted after the flu and yes it ruins the quality if life big time and causes anxiety and makes a mess. Theres so many possible causes for it. I had grommets twice ten years ago. Your doctor is right they fall out and it all restarts at some point only then you have scarring too, ballon procedure would be done if fluid was involved or something was found.

i stopped flying for a while myself. I did fly with it but had issues and it became not worth the flight. 

I had started having Tinnitus for about one week, it drives me crazy as well.

did you solved your issue? if so, how did you done it?

Thanks!

I have blocked left ear. Driving me crazy. My voice sounds different. If i massage it. Clears for a bit.  

I had failed nasal surgery on this side. Have very tiny ear tubes.

They can't get endoscope up my nose on that side. Or see down ear very far.  I have it suctioned at crystal clear ears.  In march. 

The pressure is painful and Annoying.  I have had sinusitis (a cold lasts 12 weeks). PND is bad. But I have dry nasal and ear tubes.  I feel like I am always at doctors. $$$. Rhon. Melb. Australia.  Normally this would be gone away.  

Rhonda Melb. Australia

Suggestions please

i also have all the same problems with my ears and have had all necessary test that show nothing is wrong. been to 7 ENT drs and they find nothing. i have done acupunture as well as chiro. im so frustrated and anxious all the time. Help