Ear Popping

[PM_Mama00]

I've had a cold for about a week, but now one of my ears feels, as funny as this sounds, empty. It's a little ringing, and when I talk it's like I'm in a tunnel. It feels like my ear has popped, like when you're driving up in the mountains or in an airplane, and it feels like something needs to drain out or something.

I don't feel like going to the doctors, but does anyone know a way to get rid of this?

[DolphinChicaDDD]

try opening your mouth like you are yawing, and just moving your jaw around while doing that, and then swallowing. thats how i clear my ears while scuba diving.

the second method we learned while diving is to pinch your nose then breathe out through your nose. but a audiologist friend said if i do that while diving, i could blow out my ear drums; i don't know if the same applies to land or not.

did you try taking a sinus decongestant? sometimes it helps too.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by DolphinChicaDDD
try opening your mouth like you are yawing, and just moving your jaw around while doing that, and then swallowing. thats how i clear my ears while scuba diving.

the second method we learned while diving is to pinch your nose then breathe out through your nose. but a audiologist friend said if i do that while diving, i could blow out my ear drums; i don't know if the same applies to land or not.

did you try taking a sinus decongestant? sometimes it helps too.

I've been taking Vicks Cough and Sore Throat during the day and Benedryl at night. My mom had this problem too. I think I'll suck it up and go to the doc on Monday.

Ditto on the sinus decongestant. This always happens to me when I have a cold/sinus infection. I always seem to lose hearing in my left ear.

Still, sometimes it doesn't always work, so I've always just let it pass...irritating as hell, but it eventually goes away.

[AKA_Monet]

My disclaimer: I am not a M.D. so I am not authorized by my statements and since I have not seen you physically, I cannot say exactly what your issue is without examination...

With that being said, I get this problem when I get sick. It sounds like (no pun intended) you have a slight ear infection. If it is a bad one, you need to see the doctor to perscribe antibiotics for it. That happened to me one time. The doctor uses the "scope" to see into your ear for that and makes that determination. You cannot do it yourself.

The other thing I just found out about getting rid of these things that works, sometimes--and it is very crazy and "old wivey"--but add a few tiny drops of apple cider vinegar (must be apple cider) with a cotton ball in the ear with your head tilt to the side. Let it sit for about 5-10 seconds, then dry the outside of your ear with a dry cotton ball or tissue... Don't "gush" it in your ear, but just 1-2 tiny drops work. And it's the "acidity" that eliminates the "clicking" part...

The way I understand it is that the congestion from your sinuses in and around your nose and throat have somewhat drained into your ear and exacerbating the possible infection that's developing... So... Your problem...

Decongestants help. But won't get relieve of your immediate problem, especially if you actually do have an infection...

[ZTAMich]

Ditto on what AKA_Monet said. I had a similar problem over the holidays. I had a cold just before Christmas, flew down to Florida and it got worse and the ear popping was PAINFUL. I have bad ears to begin with ugh. Sometimes just having water squirted into each ear helps clean them out and can help the popping, but that's just what's helped for me. My funny ear feelings lasted well into the New Year

[CUGreekgirl]

I just got over this problem. I had horrible decogestion, when I went to the Dr. to get that cleared up as soon as I started talking my meds I lost 75% of my hearing. After being without my hearing for a few days, Mom called the Dr. and he issued me a prescription for Amoxicillan for 10 days. Finally on the 9th day my hearing came back! I would definitely advise seeing the dR just in case.