A friend of mine have been having these on and off ear/hearing problems for the past month or less. It was basically once a week. Sounds are at times extremely loud and echo-eee or as if he/she has bionic ears (if that's the right word for it), seems plugged up but not really and at times can't hear very well, and really weird pitches, hums or whatever. Usually last all day long. Next day, *poof*, symptoms gone.

However, these last 3 days it has not gone away. Same symptoms but now dizziness and nauseated. I guess the nausea is from the dizziness b/c of being impbalanced b/c of the ear/hearing thing and b/c it's been 3 days in a row. I'm thinking it may be vertigo.

Anyway is there anything he/she should take prior to seeing the doc? Appt is being made but, you know how that can go...

 

Don't delay. Sounds like an inner ear infection, and if left untreated can infect the meninges (the outer lining of the brain.)

Could be anything and hopefully it is far less critical. But get him to the doctor right away, please.

 

Definitely.

Now there's a headache.

 

Yes what they said - sounds like it could be an infection.

However hubby gets vertigo from time to time for no good reason, but it almost always crops up when he gets ear infections or bad sinus infections. and sometimes at altitude. For non infection vertigo the Dr recommended basically dramamine (there is a generic version available OTC through pharmacies that works really well). But you must make sure it's nothing more serious first - ear infections and some sinus infections are an absolute pain in the rear to get rid of.

 

Both ears or just one?

 

Both. However, worse (the echoing thing) on the right ear. It was better (gone) yesterday and today, however the dizziness or imbalance thing and nausea is still going on.

No worries. Doc appt. today.

Thinking it might be a middle ear or inner ear infection. Doesn't this only happen to children? (Apparently not). I read a lot about it and the symptoms match somewhat but I guess only and hopefully the doc can do a better diagnosis and prescribe something and cure whatever it is.

Now there's a sore throat since yesterday and today but not too severe.

 

Welp...it wasn't an ear infection or virtigo as I thought it was. No wax build up either.

Few tests were done.

Hearing is ok but ear drums are not moving. Perhaps not vibrating? Don't know the term, but they're not moving in both ears. Doc says it's nothing serious. He noticed congestion. Was given Psudovent 400 Capsule ETH. Those things are like horse pills! Check up/follow up in a month.

 

Ear drums are not moving because there is a fluid build up in the middle ear. The pseudovent is an expectorant and decongestant combined which will reduce that. I'm surprised he did not also prescribe an antibiotic, but surely the doc knows best...

 

Thanks for that clarification. Confession: the person is me. Anyway, I'll be happy w/just 1 medication to take. It's working really well right now but I feel woosy. I guess it's a good woosy and my head/brain feels relieved (numb). Must be working the way it should.

If there's fluid in the middle ear don't they want to squeeze it out or something?

What would the antibotic be for?

One more thing, I'd like to emphasize is that I specifically asked him if I had an ear infection and he said I don't. If I don't have an ear infection then there shouldn't be fluid in my ear (middle ear) right? He checked everything and did an audiogram that came out fine and a tympanogram which came back bad (which is the thing that read that my drums weren't movin'). He even looked in my ear with that thing-a-mig and said I was fine. Everything about me was fine except my ear drums.

 

We he certainly knows more than me. The extent of my expertise is in the fact that I spent a great deal of time with my doctor and audiologist asking tons of question when I was preparing to get hearing aids.

Remember that your middle ears are connected to your nasal canal via the eustachian tubes, which are connected to your pharyngeal region (nose & throat.) Therefore, if you get congested there is a good possibility that the congestion will work its way up to your middle ears. Children are more susceptible because the eustachian tubes are more horizontal than are adults.

If he is confident that you can be cured without antibiotics then that is even better...

 

In some cases, having tubes put in helps with the drainage; my Mom just had it done.