clogged ear..getting old

[Gregg12]

I'm 41 - been dealing with my Right ear feeling 'clogged' now for over 3 years.  I have had tubes put in (2 years ago) for 2 weeks...did nothing.  The ENT looks, and says my ear is "clear" - Says could be eustacian tube disorder, etc.  Finally, after bouts with Bronchitus and sinus issues over Nov and Dec, went back to my Primary - he referred me to another ENT.  He said I have a deviated septum and that could be contributing to my sinus issues and 'maybe' clear up my ear - said I may also have TMJ.  Went to another ENT (2nd opinion before having the Septoplasty) - He ordered CT scans - Shows I do have deviated septum and enlarged turnbinates...but he is not convinced the surgery will "pop" my right ear.  SO, he referred me to an Allergist - Just finished testing and yes, I have some severe allergies, and now considering allery shot therapy- By the way, had my tonsils out 4 years ago for chronic strep throat - So, what else could my 3 year old stuff ear be?  By the way - I DO FLY ALOT for work - probably average 1-2 flights per week.  The ear does hurt when changing altitudes.  I am just tired of this.

[rebeccasmith47]

Did you every figure this out? Hope you found some relief.  I have the exact same issue :( Thanks!

[rmcd]

I had the same symptoms years ago.  I was misdiagnosed with sinus problems and took sinus medications which didn't alleviate the problem.  I also had some occassional bouts with vertigo.  Finally, I found an ENT that diagnosed me with Meniere's Disease and put me on a treatment of HCTZ (a diuretic) even though I don't have fluid in my ear.  I was told that the continual fullness eventually destroyed the nerves in my inner right ear and now I have a significant hearing loss. I wear a hearing aid.  However the prescribed meds cleared the fullness and I don't have the vertigo any longer.  I saw a Meniere's specialist at Johns Hopkins Medical Center and they have prescribed TRIAM/HCTZ.  This diuretic is a potassium sparing one.  So, whenever I feel the fullness return I take the medication until it clears again.  Hope this helps.

[OtisATL]

Sorry to hear about your 3 years of ear trouble.  I am dealing with trouble in my right ear which sounds similar to yours.  I am 42, I fly all the time (am a pilot), and just got over the weirdest cold I've ever had from late Dec to early Jan.  I have seen two ENT doctors and had an MRI on my whole head and a sinus CT scan.  I feel I can't "clear my right ear" yet the Doc tells me I am eaqualizing between my middle and outer ear.  I also now have a ringing (tinnitus) in my right ear...I don't think that is one of your symptoms.  Finally, I have lost a good bit of my hearing on the right side. I attribute this to the loud ring I hear instead of the soft tones of the hearing test machine.

So...what have my Doctors diagnosed?  I was on a flight I  when I had the first symptoms of a sinus cold appear. On ascent, I heard funny squeaking noises in my right ear.  On descent I had the first sign of trouble "clearing" my ear.  Instead of clearing by pinching my nose and blowing only 1 or 2 times as we went down, I found myself "straining" to clear my ear as much as 12 - 15 times.  It still sounded stuffy at the end of the day and I assumed it would clear overnight.  No such luck.

The ENT, who is also a SCUBA diver, has diagnosed Inner Ear Baro Trauma, or IEBT.  A condition well known to the diving community.  He ruled out 3 other common ailments, namely, Labyrinthitis (comes with dizzyness); Middle Ear Baro Trauma or MEBT (has symptoms at the ear drum); and Sinusitis (has inflamed sinus symptoms).  I did not carry  symptoms of any of these last three.

But IEBT can cause a PERCEIVED inability to clear the ear, even though the middle ear is dry and the Eustacian tube is unblocked.  This is because the damage is in the inner ear and the Cochlius (or however you spell that).  For me, membranes separating fluids in my inner ear have torn and impeeded my hearing and given me this "full ear effect".  Sometimes it sounds like I am in a big empty room, or underwater.  

If you read this and think we have similar conditions, let me know to write back about the Docs prognosis.  This is pretty long already.  But check on that IEBT thing with your own ENT.  Good luck.

[Hope001]

Several months ago, I was on this site trying to find help for fullness in my ears, dizziness, autophony (hearing yourself breath and chew from the inside of your head), ringing, etc.  I had already been the route of the family practioner,who sent me to the ENT specialist. After numerous tests and numerous visits and numerous doctors' bills, NOTHING was found and therefore NOTHING was done to give me any relief.  My symptoms are very similar to yours. They get worse and about drive one insane.  After reading many posts on this site, one person answered my pleas for help by simply suggesting a neurologist.  I went there and found I have "atypical migraine" headaches (headaches without pain) and was prescribed an anti-depressant for this.  While it clears up some of the symptoms (dizziness and some ringing and head noise), it has not addressed the fullness in the ears or autophony.  So I sit and read online until I have diagnosed myself.  I have PET (Patulous Eustachian Tube).  This condition is relentless and has no cure.  NOT good news.  PET means that the Eustachian tube stays open all the time; therefore, creating autophony and allowing all the pressure from the environment in.  Conditions associated with this malady are:  radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, pregnancy (obviously would not be your problem!), fatigue, stress, weight loss, vertigo and anxiety.  Since I have all of the last 5 symptoms, I'd say my problems stem from PET and by the symptoms you list, I'd say this is something you might look into.  It seems that closure to this tube is maintained by elasticity of its cartilage, muscles and fat surrounding the tube.  If there is a malfunction of any of those, then the "flap" stays open.  The only cures suggested are to reverse any of the conditions mentioned above.  In my case, I lost weight.  In doing so, I lost the fat around my tubes.  (I only dropped 25 lbs.!)  It is suggested that I gain back some weight!  Be damned if you do, be damned if you don't!  Good luck in your search for answers.  Hope this will give you a direction to pursue.

[JustBoB]

I have no clue what it could be, but I definately sympathise with you, my right ear has been doing the exact same thing for 3 months and its driving me nuts!! good luck!!!