Blocked ear?

For the past two days, my right ear seems to be blocked or something. Like the sound of say when you put your head underwater - maybe like that. Or maybe like the sound travels slower or is picked up slower - like not in sync. My left ear is fine. My head also feels heavier on one side as though it isn't balanced or something. I haven't been listening to any loud music recently. I hardly listen to music loud anyway. When I play the piano, the notes sound abit off. Like a note I hear in the left - on my right it is a flat down. I would say I woke up like this rather than it being all of a sudden.

Should I be concerned? How long should it be before it doesn't go away should I get my ears checked out? My ears aren't ringing or buzzing so I know it's not tinnitus.

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Reply 1

spacepirate-James

this is the same as me...?

my left ear feels like its been muffled...and even speaking comes out really weird?

Im getting my ears checked out today? It could be an ear infection, i got that a couple years ago...

Reply 2

Anon the 7th

have you tried clearing it out?

i hate it when my ears are blocked :frown:

if cleaning it out doesnt work then see a doctor afterwards

Reply 3

fabulous_darling

Use some ear drops, that should clear it up if it's a wax related problem. If it doesn't clear up, you should probably go to see a doctor just in case it's an ear infection.

Reply 4

thebutterflyeffect

btw, i have the dry type ear wax not the moist type.

Reply 5

Mr FiX-iT

Sounds like an ear effection....just recovered from mines.

Reply 6

Strangey

Could be an ear infection, too much ear wax, or have you been underwater/on a plane/ changed pressure recently? It could be that

Reply 7

thebutterflyeffect

Strangey

Could be an ear infection, too much ear wax, or have you been underwater/on a plane/ changed pressure recently? It could be that

none of those things recently, but thinking about a plane taking off or landing, my right ear has that feeling of what you feel when taking off or landing on a plane. i would say i have the tiniest of headaches, but i don't know if that's linked to my ear problem.

Reply 8

Strangey

thebutterflyeffect

Okay, it could be a blockage in your eustation tube. Do you have a cold, sore throat (or the dreaded swine :smile:

)?. Try holding your nose and trying to blow out of it at the same time, and then swallow. You may need to make an appointment to see your GP soon.

Reply 9

thebutterflyeffect

Strangey

Okay, it could be a blockage in your eustation tube. Do you have a cold, sore throat (or the dreaded swine :smile:

)?. Try holding your nose and trying to blow out of it at the same time, and then swallow. You may need to make an appointment to see your GP soon.

thank you for trying to help. i followed your instructions but it's still the same. is this a serious issue?

Reply 10

0404343m

If you've had anything resembling a cold, it could be related to that. A blocked feeling and some pressure is pretty common before an ear infection, as the trapped fluid doesn't drain away properly. Try some OTC decongestents, and if the pain gets worse see a GP. You'll probably be given antibiotics or an ear drop. It could be a wax build-up, in which case you'll still get drops, or it may need syringed. It merely being trapped water is unlikely, as you'll feel it 'slosh' around a bit, and that usually clears on its own relatively quickly anyway.

Reply 11

Strangey

thebutterflyeffect

thank you for trying to help. i followed your instructions but it's still the same. is this a serious issue?

As others have mentioned, you might have an ear infection, so make an appointment to see your GP - they should be able to give you a definative answer

Reply 12

Lithium

Why wait? Go get them looked at. Is there no pain in your ear?

Reply 13

spacepirate-James

Went to the GP

Prescribed some antibiotics.... :p:

and that was basically it.

Reply 14

thebutterflyeffect

Lithium

Why wait? Go get them looked at. Is there no pain in your ear?

no pain in my ear. just discomfort. the more i focus, the more discomfort and the more i notice of it just not being the same as my left.

Reply 15

inksplodge

If there's no pain if your ear I doubt it's an ear infection. I'm prone to them (in fact I've got one now) and your ear will be hurting a lot... I wouldn't recommend using ear drops that aren't prescribed, though. My friend used some a week or two ago to clear up some wax and she gave herself an actual ear infection because of it...

Reply 16

Scipio

If you're feeling pain it could be a case of Otitis Media or Externa, both often resolve by themselves but it's worth popping into the docs. If you're noticing sounds are more muffled and so on, try using warm olive oil in your ear, and keep your head bent at least 5 minutes then clean i up with a cotton swab, do it twice a day for a week.

That's what the official GP stance should be with wax build up, ear drops are useless and much more harsh on your ear canal.

Reply 17

april_happy

???

Sorry. Shameful.
Umm, yeah sounds like an ear infection. I had to have an injection on my bum (true story) for the quickest recovery. But your GP should give you some antibiotics.
Don't try cleaning it if it hurts a lot, will make it much worse =/

Reply 18

CrazyChris

april_happy

I like that picture... because over the past year I've had both of my ears operated on to fix perforated eardrums. xD No clue how either of them were perforated though, but I can assure it wasn't due to sticking a pencil in them :smile:

OP: I'd advise you go to see a GP who can have a proper look at it. You may be referred toto your local ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) Department who are more specialised in problems with the ears, however your GP would likely start you off with antibiotics and ask you to return if things don't seem to improve after the course of either medication/drops.