Crackling and Fluid In My Ear

Hi pistal, thanks for your time and trouble. Both the docs ruled out any perforation, the first suggested a gromit, the next refused as they said the ear drums were not discoloured by contact with fluid. 

It was a really bad infection, very painful and I could hardly hear anything for several days. I don't recall the names but the first antibiotic I was given didn't work. The second did, quite quickly, and subsequently I've followed a good few courses of antibiotics in the 25 or so years since this started, two of them hospital grade. The fluid is like colourless, odourless mucous and doesn't seem to be the result of infection, but perhaps over production.

It's not so much a problem started as it never completely went away, my ears never dried up. Ear phones certainly do exacerbate the problem a little, but I don't really use them much.  No swab was ever taken, no. Hope that helps.

Thanks Rufus, This is a tricky one. You mentioned your eustacian tube, If there is a lot of fluid, perhaps it's blocked? It's a puzzle where you are getting all this extra fluid from. Do you suffer with hayfever or pet allergies or may be even colds. Sinus problems could play a big part, especially as you mentioned sudafed was having some results. Do you get any relief when you try Valsalva (where you try to pop you ears)? I believe there is even machines that you can buy online called "Ear Poppers" that some swear by to help blocked  eustacian tubes, but we don't know if they are blocked and these machines seem expensive (just had a look). From your writting, I take it you are in the UK? Have you ever tried ear candles? I har perferations in both Ears and they are constantly getting infected, am waiting for the first of two op dates to come through, but the reason I ask about the swab is because I had alot of fluid build up in the Left Ear, they put me on drops, then tablets, back to drops, it wasn't untill the swab they found it could only be treated with one type of medication. Its obviouse that there is something wrong that causes you to take the meds numerous times in a span over 25 years. I take it that one of your Docs have referred you to ENT?

Hi again. yes, I'm in the UK. The reason I think it's overproduction of fluid is that the eustation tube is anything BUT blocked. There's never a shortage of fluid draining into my throat, except when it was very, very hot. Opening up the tube by any method increases the flow but doesn't stop production. Maybe I just need an NHS funded life time convalesence in Cuba or Puerto Rico

No hayfever and no pets, but an allergy is something I've never explored. The condition is so much residual from the infection I've never considered any other possibility. 

I've had meds for numerous unrelated reasons over the years but given that they do not slect their target, antibiotics prescribed for one condition will necessarily affect another. So I rule out infection. besides, there is no pain and neither doctor or a nurse who once syringed my ears identified any infection.

 No, I've not been referred to an ENT specialist. The last doc I saw a few years ago just said I have to put up with it.

Just put up with it?? lol, great advert for the NHS, should be their slogan! Yeah I wonder if the give out perscriptions for Holidays? I seem to remember someone getting a funded Holiday because of depression in the News a while back. I would say you really need to push to go to ENT because this is really bothering you. At least there they have the means to clear it and have a propper look, you will probably get a hearing test too, As you know, it's hard to tell how your hearing has been affected as you have nothing to compare it with. I hope you get an appointment, and I hope your nearest ENT is not Portsmouth.