simple remedy for "full" ear feeling? cant hear well?

[nswef]

You might try using some vinegar in your ear. I just take a teaspon and dribble it in...sometimes it fizzes, swallow a few times to help it move. It also might be jaw trouble. I have some neck exercises I use when my ears ache. You lean you ear toward you shoulder, hold for 30 sec. then turn your head toward your underarm as if you are sniffing for odor and hold 30 sec. Do 3 times a day and it seems to loosen up not only the jaw and neck but the ears seem to clear. I'd also recommend Ayr nasal system- essentially salt water in a tube that works like a Neti pot. I do that every morning.

[Wildflower]

I'm 53 and was having the same problem. After a complete ear exam by a ENT doc, which found nothing wrong - a hearing test showed a big hearing loss. Apparently, I have progressive hearing loss. Funny thing is to me it felt just like fluid in my ears that I've had in the past, but no fluid was found to be the problem. Doc said my hearing loss is genetic as well. Bummer...... I am adjusting to it and considering a hearing aid in my future.

[CathyA]

Me too Wildflower....about the hearing aid. They seem to have made big advances in the area of those aids.

[Simpler at Fifty]

I have been bothered by the full ear feeling off and on for a couple years. No wax build up per my Dr. I warm a wet washcloth in the microwave and lay it on paper plate. I lay down with my ear on the cloth (I put a flour sack dishtowel on the waschloth because it gets pretty hot). I might need to do this 5 nights in a row and then the full feeling goes away.

[Gardenarian]

Hi -
I have this problem too. It is so annoying!!
What works for me is to use a neti pot every day - up to four times a day when I'm sick. Mine is cause by eustachian tube dysfunction (very common). When I'm suffering from allergies or cold I take pseudophedrine as well, and that keeps my ear clear. My doctor told me that antihistamines are very drying and can aggravate the eustachian tubes, so I stay away from them. Doc also recommended Mucinex, but I found no difference.

Like your friend, I avoid blowing my nose - I think it makes things worse.

I don't want to worry you, but before I started using the neti pot my ears got so bad that I was having horrible tinnitus (in addition to the stuffiness) and vertigo.

I am also peri-menopausal - I never heard of this as a symptom! It's good to know.

[mira]

I have had a similar problem. My doctor found that my nasal passages were slightly swollen and my eardrums were kind of being pulled inwards. The only thing that helped was 'popping' my ears (this helped for short periods) and taking a steroid-based nasal spray designed for hay fever sufferers.

[ljevtich]

... I'd also recommend Ayr nasal system- essentially salt water in a tube that works like a Neti pot. I do that every morning.

I just got the Neti Pot, WOW is all I can say, it totally helped both me and my DH. He has had nasal problems all his life, we were afraid we would have to do surgery, but now, now, I do not think that will be the case. We tried it out today, the first day, and boy, do I feel great!

[seekingsimplicity]

Just a follow up to say this was Meniere's Disease. Not fun. Hearing loss too. But it has gotten better over the last months. I wear a hearing aid now. Not much the ENT can do for it.