Feeling of Fullness in the Ear?

[Jodiwest]

The fullness in my ears is getting worse but I've found a way to temporarily clear it - I put hydrogen peroxide in the ear for 5 minutes (ENT knows I do this - not saying he recommends it but he was not phased when I told him). I used to have to do it once a week but now it's everyday - sometimes twice. About the ear popping - my ENT told me to pop them while he watched the ear drum - which didn't move because of the fullness had it locked.

 

[lewwolk]

I am so happy I stumbled upon this site and finally see I am not alone with my right ear fullness feeling. I never associated the new fullness feeling I developed off and on over the past few months as related to my T. Just had an MRI done a few months ago and audiogram and ENT said all looks fine and all is normal. So he never gave me any advice on the ear fullness or even mentioned it was related to my T which is worse in the left ear which is not the ear that feels full. So weird and always worse when I first wake up as that is the side I sleep on.

I have recently started to have 2 good days and then a bad day of ear fullness happens like today. Currently on 10mg per day of paxil to help the anxiety I started to suffer when this started back in July which stops anxiety attacks but does not help me cope or accept my ear fullness. I'm 54 yrs old exercise daily gave up smoking when this started so I am smoke free for 7 months now and should feeling great about myself but my wife is so tired of how I mope around the house on my bad days which are directly related to how full my ear feels.

Happy to read I am not going insane and I am not alone in this.

Happy new year to all and may 2015 be a better year for all.

Lew

 

[Kevin08]

I too have had the full itchy ear for a few months. It seems to get worse when I talk a lot. I tried a couple of things this week which I hope will help. I noticed that I had uneven wear on my night guard so I got my dentist to check out my bite. He reshaped a few molars on the right side (the bad side) and is making me a new night guard. I also went to a Gonstead Chiropractor who found my jaw and neck to be out of alignment. I'm also contemplating physio but I'm not sure who I should see. I'll repost in a couple of weeks...
Kevin

 

[Leodavinci]

I dismissed my full feeling as the usually reported accompaniment to tinnitus. My doctor and ent checked my ears several times with a scope and said nothing. I asked if i had an infection and they said no. I also mentioned to them that i can pop my affected ear on occasion. Even my otologist said nothing about this but apperantly an ability to pop the ear AND relieve the pressure - pressure equalization - means the Eustachian tube must be the cause of the fullness. Makes sense right? Here is where i read this;

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/unilat/etd.htm

"When it cannot be opened easily, pressure differentials build up. Usually this results in a "full" feeling -- whether the ear is over or under-pressurized with respect to the outside world. There are other causes of "full" feelings -- such as Meniere's disease, but this is the only one that responds to "popping" of the ear."

This website has had some of the best diagnostic information on the web for ear and dizziness issues.

Since my otologist never mentioned my Eustachian tube i never doubted my fullness was just a sensation that accompanied tinnitus like many here report. Now i realize it's just another blind spot in his shoddy diagnosis. I'm going to a university medical center soon for an appt with a hopefully more intelligent and careful ent.

 

[Mclyra]

Hi all ,try this one for size
There is a condition called Cochlear Hydrops ,google yourself to death and have a look at the symptoms which include Fullness ("mistaken for Eust. problems") and tinnitus.
Hi louise your audiologist is right hearing aids do nott cure but when in they reduce my symptoms by a good 50%.
Best ,Pete

I have that. I have to control salt intake (less) and water intake (more).
You can find it out with a MRI (hydrops protocol, very specific) and if your hearing loss is in the low frequencies. It means your choclea is under pressure.

 

[Dana]

I have that. I have to control salt intake (less) and water intake (more).
You can find it out with a MRI (hydrops protocol, very specific) and if your hearing loss is in the low frequencies. It means your choclea is under pressure.

Lately I had such an ear fullness/pressure and some pain, and of course louder T in the full ear, that I thought that my inner ear will fissure and have a fistula.
Could you tell me more about the special MRI, able to put in evidence the hydrops, cause it's the first time I hear about it. Please!
I only knew of electrocochleography as a test for endolymphatic hydrops, done in two ways, with a needle through the eardrum, so more invasive, or without it, but not that accurate.
Also, could you tell me the cause of your T, or, if you don't know it with certainty, what is the suspected cause, or the list of suspected causes?
Thank you!

 

[Mclyra]

The cause for my T is probably the hydrops itself. I'm from Portugal so I don't know where you can have this MRI anywhere else, it's a matter of checking with your ent.you need to have other symptoms, though, to justify the MRI. It's Tesla 3 hydrops protocol.

I'm already getting used to the T, btw. It does happen.

 

[BuzzyBee]

I'm bumping up this thread because my ear fullness is driving me crazy. I have intermittent ear fullness in the same ear as the tinnitus. The audiologist did a tympanogram and said my eustachian tube was fine, but the ear fullness still comes and goes. It's worse in hot weather and it flares up when I'm stressed. I chalk it up to my having a small eustachian tube that somehow swells up? Or maybe it really hast to do with conductive hearing loss in one ear? Why can't doctors ever give answers for this?

 

[whale]

I'm bumping up this thread because my ear fullness is driving me crazy. I have intermittent ear fullness in the same ear as the tinnitus. The audiologist did a tympanogram and said my eustachian tube was fine, but the ear fullness still comes and goes. It's worse in hot weather and it flares up when I'm stressed. I chalk it up to my having a small eustachian tube that somehow swells up? Or maybe it really hast to do with conductive hearing loss in one ear? Why can't doctors ever give answers for this?

One thing you can try is see an Neuromuscular Dentist. Your jaw or TMJ could be putting pressure on your eustachian tube. Your eustachian tube will look fine to an audiologist or ENT but a Neuromuscular Dentist can evaluate for this. Its not uncommon and if it's the case, it should be treatable, also if it is the jaw / TMJ is not treated it could get worse.

Also a bit related to the jaw, sometimes sleep apnea can cause you to clench your teeth a night. causing the jaw-muscles to pull on the ET. a Mandibular advancement device can alleviate both, a Neuromuscular Dentist can do that too so it good to see them first. they may do a sleep study and also suggest a CPAP. it may not be your issue but only two types of Doctors will check for this a Neuromuscular Dentist or a maxillofacial specialist and its worth checking into it.

 

[BuzzyBee]

One thing you can try is see an Neuromuscular Dentist. Your jaw or TMJ could be putting pressure on your eustachian tube. Your eustachian tube will look fine to an audiologist or ENT but a Neuromuscular Dentist can evaluate for this. Its not uncommon and if it's the case, it should be treatable, also if it is the jaw / TMJ is not treated it could get worse.

Great advice! I have been avoiding getting a TMJ evaluation because I don't have any other symptoms (no soreness, etc.), but it might be worth looking into. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[whale]

Great advice! I have been avoiding getting a TMJ evaluation because I don't have any other symptoms (no soreness, etc.), but it might be worth looking into. Thanks for the reminder.

My first symptom was eustachian tube and nothing else. I had ET fullness for a long time. Then sleep apnea. Went to many ENTs and Audiologist. they said I was fine and put med on anti depressants because they thought I was crazy. Then I got T , then ear pain, migraines, brain zaps, neck pain, vertigo and they wanted to give me more crazy pills. I've come to learn ENTs and Audiologist only have a small bag of tricks.

Finally after some dental work, my jaw hurt and the next day I did some heavy yard work and my Jaw locked up so I went to an Neuromuscular Dentist. He did CT scans and MRI and saw my jaw/ TMJ was the root of it all. I've been doing TMJ treatments now and my ET are clearing out, my migraines are less, I'm off anti-depressants and its only been a few weeks. My jaw is still locked, I still have T , apnea and neck pain but my new Dr. feels they will most likely go as my TMJ, Jaw and apnea get fixed. who knew the jaw could do all that. I wish I knew a few years ago when it was just an ET fullness issue and no other symptom. it would have saved me years of pain and thousands of dollars. I didn't know but jaw muscles butt right up on the ET and mid/inner ear. they go down the neck and shoulder too as well as up all over your head. So if an ENT or Audiologist don't see anything wrong with your ET, check whats next to it. there might be an inflamed joint or pulled muscle pushing up against it causing fullness. ET fullness is often the first sign of Bruxism, the clenching or grinding of the jaw as you sleep. Bruxism pulls on the muscle right next to ET, so sometimes ET fullness is the only showable symptom when its the clenching type. the grinding they will also show wear on the teeth. you'd have know ideal you are doing it because it happens in stage 2 of sleeping. Only Neuromuscular dentist of Maxillofacial specialist check for this. its worth a visit.

 

[whale]

My first symptom was eustachian tube and nothing else. I had ET fullness for a long time. Then sleep apnea. Went to many ENTs and Audiologist. they said I was fine and put med on anti depressants because they thought I was crazy. Then I got T , then ear pain, migraines, brain zaps, neck pain, vertigo and they wanted to give me more crazy pills. I've come to learn ENTs and Audiologist only have a small bag of tricks.

Finally after some dental work, my jaw hurt and the next day I did some heavy yard work and my Jaw locked up so I went to an Neuromuscular Dentist. He did CT scans and MRI and saw my jaw/ TMJ was the root of it all. I've been doing TMJ treatments now and my ET are clearing out, my migraines are less, I'm off anti-depressants and its only been a few weeks. My jaw is still locked, I still have T , apnea and neck pain but my new Dr. feels they will most likely go as my TMJ, Jaw and apnea get fixed. who knew the jaw could do all that. I wish I knew a few years ago when it was just an ET fullness issue and no other symptom. it would have saved me years of pain and thousands of dollars. I didn't know but jaw muscles butt right up on the ET and mid/inner ear. they go down the neck and shoulder too as well as up all over your head. So if an ENT or Audiologist don't see anything wrong with your ET, check whats next to it. there might be an inflamed joint or pulled muscle pushing up against it causing fullness. ET fullness is often the first sign of Bruxism, the clenching or grinding of the jaw as you sleep. Bruxism pulls on the muscle right next to ET, so sometimes ET fullness is the only showable symptom when its the clenching type. the grinding they will also show wear on the teeth. you'd have know ideal you are doing it because it happens in stage 2 of sleeping. Only Neuromuscular dentist of Maxillofacial specialist check for this. its worth a visit.

also do daily Scalene Muscle Stretch

 

[Chrissers88]

Hello everyone Been looking online to see other peoples issues with Tinnitus. Back in 2015 I was put on this drug for my skin which gave me nasty side effect, ear infections and thrush too. So I had a awful time with that , skin was in agony for months . Glad to say that problem that has plagued my life is gone now! Now I have this new one which is driving me nuts I had sprays and antibiotics for my infections then canniston for the thrush (left ear) Anyways all seemed to be going well till I started having this fullness in the ear and really bad ringing . At new years my face and neck was in agony , more antibiotics and ear drops. So I had to wait for ENT to check my ears . January 2016 I get my ENT appointment and the nurse said both ears were fine , she took a big lump of wax out the right one though . Now I was convinced both ears were blocked I used to be able to put a cotton bud ( bad I know ) in both ears and it would go in quite a bit . So I'm convinced my ears shrunk or something! After this I had to wait six months to see a specialist!!!! I had to endure the tinnitus for that long At my appointment he said I had perfect hearing from a test I did. He looked inside and said I had alot of brown wax but the ears looked healthy . Next I had a endoscopy which was not very nice but I wanted it done . He told me everything was healthy and I'm thinking ok well what's wrong with me!!! He said if the tinnitus was all day it would be a issue and advised me to see a dentist about my jaw. I mean i have brittle bones and my jaw cracks . Lastly I mentioned I have bad hay fever but he said that should be ok. Now a month later my ear actually ringing even louder and its for that full feeling I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow . I thought about changing my hay fever spray and some thing to cleanse my ears and nose out. The ironic thing about all of this is that I have never had problems with my ears until last year Sorry to make such a big post but wanted to get it off my chest to people who could possibly relate, thanks . Crystal.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Try a script for dymista and spray to the back for your head, not up.

So far, I think it's helped with that fullness feeling I had in the tinnitus ear.

 

[Samantha8]

Someone else on this thread summed up my 'fullness' feeling: The more I talk, the worse the pressure/fullness gets. I have had extremely loud tinnitus in the left ear with fullness for 10 months now. All started with a very bad ear infection in that ear. Some hearing loss resulted. I have not improved in 10 months, in fact, the T has only worsened, and the pressure feeling has worsened. I also have H. I'm losing my mind. The more noise I hear or the more I speak during any given day, increases the pressure feeling. No fluid left in my ear. Infection resolved. I had sphenoid surgery since this started, and it filled back up again - facing another surgery. The T got louder after the first surgery.

I feel like my head is going to explode.

 

[Ben83]

Hi everyone, I have suffered with the ringing form of T for many years, however in the last 4 months it has progressed to a deep droning noise, a feeling that there is something in my ear and generally uncomfortable. This has now gotten to the stage that If could have my ear removed i would!! I was refered to ENT and fully expected to be told I had glue ear which of course comes with a solution! Unfortunately this was not the case, and it appears to be a variation of T. I was sure that the Dr had got it wrong due to the discomfort and feeling of a blockage. This was when I found this forum which has put me at ease. The next step for me is an MRI scan and tinnitus therapy, I was/am very sceptical about this but having read other posts I feel it's definitely worth a shot.
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

 

[Marlino]

I have the fullness of the ears as well. Sometimes it feels like a slight pain.
But its so subtle that I can't rule out making it up. The ENT in the hospital said it might be due to some still active healing process in the ear.
Others (habituated guys) told me the same and that this feeling usually resolves with time. If not its maybe due to an chronic inflammation?

 

[Paul10]

I've recently developed a fullness in right ear, along with a new, mmmmmmmmmmm noise. The fullness really does take over. Feels like my eardrum is trying to push it's way out of my head; not painful, but pressure and noise. This is all I needed.. ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

 

[Tyler 619]

I'm having a similar problem where my right ear feels muffled or off. I had a pretty bad cold about 3 weeks ago and this weird muffled feeling is still here. I had an audio test done and my hearing is 100% fine which I know is true because this ear can hear fine just has some weird off feeling to it. I wish I could say it was just fluid in the ear, but the ENT said there is no fluid, and I can open my Eustachian tubes no problem. He said it's probably inflammation and it should clear in by june. I'm just getting worried because I haven't seen much of any improvement in this weird off feeling in my ear. Also there is a slight ringing in this ear, but honestly barley ever notice it.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? I'm thinking about getting a second ENT opinion just to double check.

 

[Brettj34]

I seem to get the fullness feeling after being exposed to a loud noise. Like a whistle at basketball or my child screamng. For me it seems to go and "bounce back" after a few days but who knows if this is making my hearing loss worse. The fullness sucks. Hang in there everyone

 

[Elinor Evans]

Hi all, this is the first time I've joined a forum but I'm now getting quite worried about my symptoms. I started getting a heartbeat noise in my ear back in January, as time went on it got worse and louder. Eventually in May I went to the doctors and they said my eardrum was huge, after 4 different rounds of antibiotics it finally went down and I was told the noise will stop in time. Since then I have gone back 4 times as it's getting worse, I have minor hearing loss, fullness feeling in my ear and drainage through my nose. I've been referred to ENT but the waiting list is very long, I'm only 23 and I'm concerned this will never go away or I will lose my hearing. Every time I have been to the doctors since they keep telling me my ear is normal and it's just tinnitus. Any advice/coping techniques/similar stories would be greatly appreciated

 

[dpdx]

I have this on my left ear. I am suspecting its due to hearing loss that I have.
I noticed that I shout when I talk lol
Ah good old moderate hearing loss