Ear clogged or ruptured eardrum?

Ears, nose and throat
1

I've seen a lot of discussions that are sort of similar to my issue but not exactly. A week ago  I had a cold with lots of congestion and had to travel on a plane. When the plane landed my right ear popped but the left felt all clogged, so I plugged my nose and gently blew. Nothing happened. I tried again a couple hours later - again, just a gentle blow, not violently - and my ear "popped" with a sharp shooting pain. But it didn't get rid of the clogged feeling.

It's been a week and my left ear still feels full, clogged, and muffled. No pain but minor ringing at times. I don't think I have an earwax buildup. I'd estimate that my hearing in that ear is at 50-70% of its normal capacity. My congestion in my nose/throat has totally cleared up by now. I've tried yawning, swallowing hard, stretching the outer ear, chewing gum, etc. - all the techniques for getting your ears to pop - but nothing has made them pop again or cleared the blocked feeling.

I'm worried that when I "popped" that ear I actually ruptured my eardrum. Beyond seeing a doctor as soon as I can (I'm still traveling for the next week), is there any way to identify what's going on? Or how to fix it??

2

Hello Emily,  If you have a perforated eardrum (I have suffered many in my left ear, you'd be

getting a discharge of the mucus seeping through the hole and a lot of crackling noises.

I think you should see your doctor asap.  Having said that very tiny holes sometimes can't be

seen with what general doctor use.  an ENT consultant would be able to see far more.

It sounds from having had a cold you've built up inflammation which is preventing your ears

from draining properly.  Or it could be the inflammation that swelled your Eustachian Tubes

and they are sticking together.

As you are still travelling if I were in your position I'd ask for a course of Prednisolone steroid

tablets to clear the inflammation, he may also prescribe a steroid nasal spray.  In the meantime,

do a hot water inhalation with a towel over your head with boiling water in a bowl....stay there

for a good 20 minutes, then try popping them again.  I know when mine have been very blocked

I've caused the perforation myself, had to see my specialist where he has microsuctioned all

the mucus from the tiny hole.  It feels wonderful once they are clear.  This could be a one off

for you with having experienced a cold that's caused it.  Sadly, many of us on this Forum

suffer ETD all the time due to sinusitis and allergies.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction that you're now experiencing can take absolutely ages to clear,

without help.

Good luck

Anne

3

Hi Emily, 

I am no doctor, but I don't think you have ruptured your tympanic membrane. Slight ringing and clogged ears are signs of ETD. It will eventually go away. I suggest you to see an ENT to find the cause of your symptoms. Clogged ears, ringing, ETD.. etc are just the symptoms. The cause could be viral, bacterial or allergic reactions. Please consult a qualified medical professional to find the cause. you can then avoid the cause or get treated for it and eventually get better smile. Don't panic! I know it's really really annoying. I am sailing the same boat since 4 months. But luckily it's not life threatening.

Best wishes, 

Abhi