Ear discomfort, 5 years running. ENT says nothing wrong

Ears, nose and throat
1

Ive had this ear discomfort for at least 5 years in my left ear. It feels like something is there right ehere the inner ear and nose meet. Nasal sprays and ear drops give temporary relief but nothing permanent. ENT doctor says everything is fine, even stuck the camera up into my sinuses and found nothing but I know somethings up. Any ideas? Thank you

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2

Hi , IM Reece and im a 17 year old female. I've had the exact same problem for about 3 weeks. I went to the ENT yesterday and they couldn't find anything. He subscribed nasal spray but it doesn't work. My guess is that the eustachian tube is blocked ,not allowing any sound to travel to your middle ear.

3

Can you explain the ear discomfort - does anything make it worse or better? Does your ear feel full or blocked? Do you clean your ears with cotton bud every few weeks? Can you try washing your ears out or putting wax softening drops in incase there is a hair in there that is irritating the canal. Could it be referred pain from your teeth/grinding or back and neck?

4

I'm having something similar on my right ear. Its like a pressure, this happened after a vestibular problem.

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5

Hello Anon

I just read your message about your ear discomfort.

I have had the same for the last 4 years 1/2.

I’d love to have a chat with you.

thank you

6

I’m 59 and I have to have tubes put in my right ear every six months because it falls out my eardrum rubbed about seven years ago and I’ve had constant problems with it ever since the doctor says I don’t ever have an ear infection but it hurts and bugs the hell out of me if I don’t have that tube in there

7

Five years is a long time to deal with something like this, especially when every test comes back normal. One thing I’ve learned while helping a family member is that “ear discomfort” can describe many different sensations pressure, fullness, irritation, or simply the feeling that something isn’t quite right. Those symptoms don’t always have a single obvious cause, which can make the process frustrating.

If your ENT has ruled out the major concerns, it might be worth keeping a simple symptom diary for a few weeks. Note when the discomfort is better or worse, whether it changes after exercise, flying, allergies, colds, sleeping position, or exposure to loud environments. Sometimes patterns appear that aren’t obvious during a clinic visit. It may also help to ask your ENT specifically whether they noticed any wax buildup, dry skin, or irritation in the ear canal, as those everyday issues can sometimes contribute to ongoing discomfort without showing up as a more serious problem.

I hope you’re able to get some answers soon. Five years is a long time to keep searching, so don’t lose hope.

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8

Hi,

I’ve had a similar issue with occasional ear discomfort, especially after showers or swimming. What really helped me was using a small electric ear dryer at home—it gently dries the ear canal after I get out of water, and it keeps things from feeling clogged or itchy.

It’s part of my personal routine for a few months now, and I’ve noticed my ear feels clearer and more comfortable. For reference, the device I use is this one: Tilcare Electric Ear Dryer.