Any ADULT ever have fluid behind the ears that won't go away?

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
I do! I've had this for about five weeks now and two rounds of antibiotics did nothing. I am definitely not hearing that well and have tinnitus. It came on very suddenly, after I came back from seeing my son in Missouri. I also was exposed to Sonic who had a really bad cold. My doctor ran a CT scan of the sinuses today and it was negative. Next I get a hearing test??? and something else to see if need to see a Audiologist an ENT man. Since it came on so suddenly, I am sure I need to see the ENT man, but that's the protocol and until I have a hearing test, which will come back with a hearing loss, I can't be scheduled to see the ENT.

It is very annoying. I feel great except for this, but when your head is full and your ears are ringing and you can't hear half of what anyone is saying to you and, worst of all, the fluid will not drain...you still don't feel 100%. Any feedback? This is my first ear infection evah!!! The fluid behind my ears won't drain. One ear is way worse than the other.

I was told I may have to try tubes in my ears but have also read that sometimes even that doesn't help. Am I doomed forever??
 

Scent of Cedar *

Well-Known Member
Do you have excess wax in the ear canal? I had that same problem this Winter. After a course or oral antibiotics and a course of antibiotic wax softeners for the affected ear, the ear was lavaged with very hot water. It took two appointments, but the wax was broken up and washed out of the canal. The other ear developed the same thing. I have been in once to have that one done. There is still excess wax trapped in the auditory canal, so I will need to have the lavage process done one more time.

The symptoms you describe are the same ones I had.

It came on suddenly, and was intermittent at first.

The pain (in my case) was from liquid trapped between the wax cap and the ear drum.

It was very painful. I had never had anything like that happen to me, before.

Cedar
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
Thanks, Cedar. This is not painful and today it feels better. I can hope? There is fluid behind my ears and the fluid won't drain. If it doesn't go away by Monday, I have to see an ENT doctor. Fun, fun.
 

Rabbit

Member
steroids by mouth should dry the ear and may improve hearing . I am not a dr but have had ear problems over the years
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
Thank you. Well, today my ears seem a lot more clear. If I see the ENT doctor, I will comply with what he feels is best to do.

I'll tell you, I learned how horrible it is to have trouble hearing and tinnitus and my heart goes out to all who have this as a chronic condition.
 

Scent of Cedar *

Well-Known Member
I used steroid nose spray too. Flo Nase?

Nothing worked until I had the ears lavaged. When the wax was dislodged, I could hear immediately.

Cedar
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
I was told I have no wax. I'll find out. It's all a waiting game with the ENT and when I can go see him. Today I can hear again so maybe I won't even have to.
 

ItsNoisyUpHere

New Member
I do! I've had this for about five weeks now and two rounds of antibiotics did nothing. I am definitely not hearing that well and have tinnitus. It came on very suddenly, after I came back from seeing my son in Missouri. I also was exposed to Sonic who had a really bad cold. My doctor ran a CT scan of the sinuses today and it was negative. Next I get a hearing test??? and something else to see if need to see a Audiologist an ENT man. Since it came on so suddenly, I am sure I need to see the ENT man, but that's the protocol and until I have a hearing test, which will come back with a hearing loss, I can't be scheduled to see the ENT.

It is very annoying. I feel great except for this, but when your head is full and your ears are ringing and you can't hear half of what anyone is saying to you and, worst of all, the fluid will not drain...you still don't feel 100%. Any feedback? This is my first ear infection evah!!! The fluid behind my ears won't drain. One ear is way worse than the other.

I was told I may have to try tubes in my ears but have also read that sometimes even that doesn't help. Am I doomed forever??

Sorry to bump on old Post . I found this thread through Google.

Somewheroutthere,

I'm experiencing similar symptoms as you. I've always had a touch of tinnitus that was manageable, however this past week the ringing has intensified. I saw my doctor yesterday and he said my ears look infected, no pain, and prescribed antibiotics with a Nasonex spray. I also have fluids in my ears because every time I swallow, open my jaw or speak, I can hear the fluids moving around. I go back to see my doctor tomorrow and will most likely see an ENT.

Did you have ringing in both ears? Could you feel the fluids? How did you drain them?

What ended up happening with your ENT anyways, if you don't mind me asking?

Thank you for your time
 
Last edited:

New Leaf

Well-Known Member
Hi, I have had similar issues with sinus problems and allergies. This past summer, my left ear gave me problems for two months. I had two courses of antibiotics , not good. Well, I think it was a stubborn virus..... Went the whole ENT, auditory testing route, results? Chronic sinusitis ( really? I could have figured that one) and tinnitus, again, I knew that.....hope you feel better....leafy
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
Hi there. This is quite an old post.

In my case I had fluid in one ear and had to have a tube put into it, which I didn't know was done to adults. When it falls out, which takes about a year, I will see if I need another one. It was a very simple and painless procedure and cured the hearing loss.
 

ItsNoisyUpHere

New Member
Leaf, did you get relief from your sinitus and tinnitus eventually?

Somewhereoutthere, that sounds promising. Has your ringing stopped? And was it in both ears?

Thanks for the replies. As you can tell, this has me a tad worried considering I created an account just to ask about your experiences lol.
 

New Leaf

Well-Known Member
Leaf, did you get relief from your sinitus and tinnitus eventually?
Hi, unfortunately, no I did not. The ENT told me to keep taking allergy medications, which help, but I do not like to rely on them. Some days I wake up, feeling okay, and don't take the medications but eventually have too. I am afraid this will be the case. I started taking tumeric, which is supposed to help with inflammation and sinus issues. Time will tell. As for the tinnitus, it is always there, and the specialist said they are not sure why some people develop this. I have learned to cope with it and find if I am stressed or do not get enough rest, it gets louder. Hope you find some answers and have better health. Take care, taking walks and getting out in the fresh air is calming. {{{HUGS}}} leafy
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
As for the tinnitus, it is always there, and the specialist said they are not sure why some people develop this. I have learned to cope with it and find if I am stressed or do not get enough rest, it gets louder.
I have a very mild case; other members of extended family have it much worse. One specialist said that they believe the cause is a combination of exposure to noise, and stress. I know mine definitely shows up under stress. At one time they thought it was permanent, but it has been proven that in some people, it can resolve itself over time, or reduce in severity.
 

Scent of Cedar *

Well-Known Member
I was just back to the doctor for two more lavages of the ear that we did not clear fully last Spring. The nurse practitioner suggested switching from Claritin to Clairitin D, which contains an oral decongestant.

Or, using Flo Nase (or over the counter decongestant) to keep everything nice and clear.

Does anyone else find a connection between stomach issues related to allergies and ear problems? I have noted a definite connection. Did you know that Mucinex works by irritating the stomach lining?

All these things are connected.

Does anyone else note a connection between allergies and ear problems?

That was the nurse practitioner's rationale. That allergies are the culprit, and that keeping the passages clear while we are having an allergic reaction to something unrelated will help with our ear and sinus problems.

Now that I am not eating Christmas or smelling scented candles and have been using Flo Nase to keep my sinuses clearer, my ears are doing very nicely.

Cedar

I had a strange conversation with an older RN. She complained of dizziness and sinus problems and so on, but her contention is that she is prone to developing "ear stones". She swears that when we feel that fluid, echoey feeling and feel that dizziness, we need to "move" the stone by repositioning our heads until it can pass.

I have never heard of such a thing.

She swears by it, and swears that it is the only thing that works for her.

She said ear stones will be microscopic things, in the same way our bodies form kidney or gallstones.

I don't know what to think about that, but I have been repositioning my head, alot. Like, hang your head between your knees, move it from shoulder to shoulder, that kind of thing.

SWOT, if ear tubes helped you, that is what I will try, next.
 

New Leaf

Well-Known Member
She said ear stones will be microscopic things, in the same way our bodies form kidney or gallstones.
Now that I think of it Cedar, the doctor said I have ear polyps. He said some folks are sensitive to cold, and the ears develop polyps. It affects hearing. Be careful of Claritan D, made my heart race, but I think I am allergic to an ingredient in it. I take the Costco generic, Aller tec D and do fine with that one. I do see a connection with allergies and ear problems, also stomach irritation. My sinuses get "stuck" but drip down the back of my throat at night. My teeth and gums can get sore, too, I think it is the pressure..... Apple cider vinegar is supposed to do wonders. I think you are correct, all things are connected. Allergies, no fun. Take care everyone.....leafy
 

ItsNoisyUpHere

New Member
Leaf, thanks for the advice. I couldn't agree more. As I said, I've lived with tinnitus for 15 years and it's never bothered me! Now it's loud because of this infection. I'm sure my terrible diet and insomnia don't help either (hard to eat right and sleep right when you're a shift worker.)

I see this as a sign to change my life. I need to eat better, reduce my stress, exercise more and sleep better.

I wish you the very best, leaf.
 

New Leaf

Well-Known Member
Wish you the best, too, I know the frustration with tinnitus, it does kind of come and go with stress and lack of sleep, ear infections, sinus trouble. I think you have a good plan to take better care of yourself. Ears ringing or not, I am not going to go down with the age thing without a fight! Best wishes to you as well! We are the Captains of our own ships! leafy ps. maybe I am supposed to compose a rock opera, or something around this ringing, LOL.
 

tuffy1310

New Member
I came across this forum in a desperate Google search to find some relief for my ear. It started about 7 months ago with a ear infection. ..and ever since my ear has the stopped up/fullness feeling. The ENT I am seeing now thinks it may be Meneires disease and just has been treating me with steroids and diuretics. Neither has fixed it. I'm slowly going crazy.. it has impacted my life tremendously! I don't think it's meneires. .. I think it's trapped fluid. . If I have the sniffles I can feel fluid in my sinuses move to that ear and the pressure increases. I also thought it could be impacted ear wax because i have had that issue before, but dr says ears are both clear! Has anyone had this issue and any thing that has helped? I've had an mri, hearing test.. pressure test
.. everything comes back good.
 
Top