Does this sound like eustachian tube dysfunctin or swimmers ear? help!

Hello,

Hoping someone on this forum has gone through something similar or is able to provide advice. This was longer than intended, so a big THANK YOU to anyone who reads the entire novel.

I'm on day 5 of my left ear feeling blocked - as if it needs to pop - but to no avail. I've tried pinching my nose and swallowing, yawning, chewing gum, taking a steam, massaging my face. Still blocked. It feels full, like there is pressure on it, but it doesn't hurt, no discharge, no fever, and no sore throat. The only time I feel pain is if I'm chewing on something hard, or after coughing there is a slight dull ache.

I have pretty bad seasonal allergies every year - sneezing 20+ times in a row, non stop runny nose - you get the picture. Because of other chronic health issues, I don't normally take antihistamines, and opt to just suffer through it.

For the first two days the issue was very slight, not interfering my day to day and I attributed it to sinus pressure. On the morning of the third day, however, I blew my nose (maybe too forcefully?) and immediately I noticed a change in sensation. I can hear out the ear but it's very uncomfortable to speak, as internally, my own voice sounds very amplified in that ear, and has an almost echo-y quality to it.

I had a virtual visit with my GP as due to covid, the office isn't accepting patients. Without being able to actually examine my ear, he suggested both a prescription strength antihistamine + decongestant, along with a 3 day course of neomycin ear drops. I am very cautious about putting anything in my ears as my ears are very important to my line of work, but he said he would only recommend oral antibiotics (my personal preference) if I developed a fever.

So here I am on day 5 and no improvement. My doc seemed to think it was swelling of the eustachian tube due to allergies but that treating the outer ear would prevent an infection. My biggest concern is that maybe through all the sneezing and nose blowing I ruptured or tore my eardrum and the drops are going to cause permanent damage, but I don't know how to tell if that's the case having not been examined.

At this point I'm just very uncomfortable and don't know how long it takes for this sort of thing to resolve, especially since I don't know what's going on! ANY advice is much appreciated. I don't know if I need to give it more time or if I should be looking for an ENT at this point.

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