i'm not sure if i'll get many replies here, but i thought there was no harm in trying...i've had this problem lately with "itchy" ears...i know your not supposed stick small things in your ears, but the only thing that relieves my itching is to rub with a q-tip...i'm not congested, i'm on allegra and nasonex, and there's no infection, no wax buildup, but my doc said that one ear was "slightly" irritated, that they looked "slightly raw" and i've put a small scratch in one of my ear canals from rubbing so hard with the q-tip...but its so annoying, i mean, its like telling a kid with chicken pox not to itch...i seriously cannot concentrate on anything else???

also, i've always seemed to have what my parents deem "selective hearing", but lately really weird things have been happening...if i'm doing some real strenuous activity, my hearing will kinda fade momentarily...and sometimes people will be talking to me, and not only will i not notice them talking to me...i won't even hear them talking, but after awhile, they're just like, rachael??? rachael??? RACHAEL?? and then i'm pulled back "out of space"...anyone know of any problems like that???

i'm planning on calling my GP and ask for a recommendation to an ENT, cause i'm sick of this problem, and he doesn't see anything drastically wrong...but then i feel bad, cause my parents already pay money for me to be at a GI, and now i'm at an oesteopath, and my back sitch is getting more complicated, so i feel another specialist "coming along"...plus, my parents have this problem...everytime i mention a physical problem, they roll there eyes like, "what is it now???" but i know they care...any suggestions for any of this???

rach

Sounds like you have an ear irritation which could well be caused from water in the ear or something else. Since the doc already saw irritation I am surprised he didn't give you something for it either drops or cream to rub on the itchy area. Until you see the doc you may want to buy some swimmers ear drops that are available in the ear/eye department of your local pharmacy or walmart type store. As for you hearing you may need to see an audiologist for a hearing test but the ENT doc will decide on that.

so you think that an ENT could solve my hearing question and my irritation problem...i hate bugging GP's about problems they haven't really been train in, b/c lots of time they just get irritated, but specialists...you can nag and they have all the patience in the world...well, most of them anyway http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif any other suggestions??? thanks!

rach

Your GP should be doing more for your itching problems than he is which is why I think an ENT is in order. Since your GP isn't working with you on this problem you either need to see a new doc or an ENT. Basically your GP should be able to handle almost all of your needs and when something is out of their league then they should refer you to a specialist. Your GP has not done either of these.........he did not try anything for your problem nor did he refer you to a specialist if he didn't think he could handle your problem. This is just a personal opinion but if he is that lax about taking care of your general medical needs I would consider trying a different doc.

rach,

Try a teeny bit of hydrocortisone cream lightly applied to the itchy surfaces. See if that helps. Often that's all that's needed.

Beyond just the effect of the Q-tip rubbing, causes might be fungus (treatable with lamisil or clotrimazole, or something bacterial...then you need something prescription like Floxin Otic drops.)


My GUESS is fungal!
Any GP should be able to handle any of these.

Don't overdo the Q-Tips....they seem to cause more trouble than they're worth.

ok, there's this hospital complex about 20 mins from my house...would it be a good idea to go there...they have alot of specialists, but that means i'm gonna have to talk to my parents...aaggghhh...i get so sick of having to break my medical maladies to them...i need some advice, or support, or both...but i don't wanna complain or whine...thats very unbecoming- haha http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

i'm gonna call my GI soon, and talk to him, as a few people have had ENT problems from they're GERD...could constant reflux and drainage cause hearing damage...also, i'm big on the band thing, which i learned has been proven to make louder noise than most of the superloud car stereos...its odd though...although i frequently need to say "huh?" to hear a full sentence, my actual "oh my gosh, i can't hear" feelings come in spurts, frequently after any "strenuous" activity (not that anything i do is that strenuous)...are there any suggestions?? i'm goign to europe for the greater part of july, and although there will be a doctor on board, i'm still concerned about myself...lemme know! thanks for all the suggestions!

rach

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Thought This Might Be of Use...Since Alot of Others Have It:

August 1999: diagnosed with GERD and IBS...put on zantac, then aciphex
Spring 2000: diagnosed with TMJ...have lower splint
September 2000: hospitalized for failure to thrive due to malnutrition and dehydration; fed with ng tube for 3 months, put on prilosec
2001-02: developed chronic sinusitis/rhinitis from NG tube, put on nasonex and allegra
January 2002: switched GI's, diagnosed with hiatal hernia, switched to nexium, added peppermint oil, put on bentyl PRN for pain, zoloft for nausa
March 2003: IBS getting worse, switched PRN bentyl to BID levbid ER
May 2003: diagnosed with asthma from GERD, put on advair and singulair, albuterol PRN
May 2003: back pain and limited mobility, caused by 2002 car accident and dance injury, unidentified
April-June 2003: minor ear irritation and hearing problems, and extra sinus swelling, unidentified
May-June 2003: heartburn recurring even with meds!

Hello,

When I read your symptoms initially and noticed you had back pain, I did wonder about tmjd as the cause of your intermittent hearing diminishment and an itch (normally deep inside the ear.) Now that I see you have been diagnosed with tmj, I think there's a strong possibility it is related to that. I am being treated for tmjd with severe ear symptoms - tmj often causes ear problems as the jaw and ear are so close in proximity. People with tmjd can experience intermittent subjective hearing loss (of the type that does not show on tests) Check out the tmjd board on here, try putting some words in the search engine on that board, ears or itch, have a read. If your back has been acting up it could be contributing to your tmj problem. B.T.W it usually takes a tmjd specialist (I was diagnosed by an oral surgeon at a dental hospital) to really understand the relationship btwn tmjd and the ears. It's a matter of luck whether your ENT is up on this area.

Just a thought, but a very possible one, I feel.

Sorry,

Forgot to say, that of course, if you are experiencing hearing problems and itchy ears your first port of call should definitely be an ENT. Only when an ENT has checked you out and found no cause for your problems should you consider tmjd to be the potential cause of your ear problems.

hey hbep! thanks for your reply...oddly enough, i was just to my osteopath for my back today, and she thinks that my braces and tmjd could be contributing to my "torqued" pelvis, which has, over time, screwed up my back...isn't that odd?? but anyways, yes, i do experience intermittant hearing loss, sometimes it will ring, and i feel like somebody just put ear plugs in my ears, and like, all day today all i hear is people mumbling, i'm having trouble picking out syllables and words...also very odd...but what your saying sounds plausible...

i'm so sick of some of these problems...one thing to deal with isn't bad, but everything i've ever had is flaring up right now, and its really obnoxious; i can't figure out why...i'm not stressed, i'm not doing anything "unhealthy", i've kept up with all my meds...its a mystery...but i'll figure it out...thanks a bunch! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

rach

well, i'm going to be GP on the 30th...my ears are still a little itchy (it seems to come in episodes though), and recently they've been kinda achy, like ear-infection-achy...but thats my only symptom...also, i do have a little bit of a sore throat, and my rhinitis is flaring up, but i thinks thats GERD-induced...not really pertaining to my ear problems...well, i guess i'll just update when i go to the doc..any other ideas??? thanks!

rach