About three month ago I was having dizzy spells and my left ear was plugged that went on for about three to four days. So I made an appt with my gp, he diagnosed me with an ear infection. I was given amoxacillan for ten days. Then I went back because my ear was still plugged. At that point the dr. Prescribed whal phed for five days. After five days nothing worked. So I made an appt with an ent he said there was no ear infection but he prescribed me steroids for five days still nothing. Aweek later I saw him again. I took a audio hearing test. They said my hearing was normal. Obviously that is wrong I can't here out of my left ear. Now, Three months later I'm about to take avelox. I think it might be bacteria in the inner ear. Can anybody help me with this?
Did your ENT see signs of inflammation that indicate an infection?
I have an ear that "plugged" up on me last March. I went to my PCP, ENT a couple times and a couple Audiologists. Other than some new minor hearing loss in my "good" ear, they have been unable to find anything physically wrong at all with my ear.
After doing tons of internet research, I came across a referrence to TMJ. I went to see a couple TMJ specialists and found out that my jaw discs had slipped forward and my lower jaw was pushed back into my ear. I've been wearing a splint for about 6 months now that pulls my lower jaw forward away from my ear. While my ear is still a bit stuffy, it is getting better. The ironic thing is that none of my specialists mentioned the connection between ear problems and TMJ. I had to find it out on my own.
Did your ENT scope your eustacian tube? I'd also recommend seeing an audiologist for a full evaluation first. The audiologists do more assessments than the basic hearing tests and may have some further answers for you.
Thanks mountain reader ....I did see an audiologists and they said that my hearing in both ears was normal ........I do not know how that could be possible because my left ear fells like it's plugged and if I try to talk with my cell phone with that ear, it is very muffled. Also, now when I try to sleep, I have sharp pain in and around the ear and I can't sleep. I am going back to a new gp tomorrow. Hopefully he can help. This is driving me nuts ........I am goin to mention what he think about tmj......thanks again
When all of the possible medical causes have been investigated and nothing turns up, then please consider the medial pterygoid muscle. This is a jaw muscle inside the mouth. When the medial pterygoid muscle is tight it blocks the action of the little muscle that opens the eustachian tube. Thus, the plugged ear feeling. A physical therapist or a massage therapist can release the muscle. She needs to be certified and trained in how to do this and be doing it regularly in her practice. Don't go to someone who took the class a few years ago but has no call for it. That one will be clumsy and rough inside your mouth. Be sure to get someone certified and experienced. I got relief in three visits.
Last edited by esker; 03-08-2011 at 06:13 AM.
Reason: little typo
The Following User Says Thank You to esker For This Useful Post: frankdutra (03-13-2011)
I agree with esker. I see a PT and a massage therapist who are both trained in orofacial trigger point therapy. They help work those masseter and pterygoid muscles out.
Did your audiologist or ENT do any other tests on your ears other than a hearing test? A tymponogram, middle ear testing, eustacian tube scoping, etc...
If you do think it might possibly be TMJ, I'd recommend doing more research before talking to your doctor. I went to my PCP, 2 audiologists and 2 ENT's who said they couldn't find what was causing my stuffy ear. When I found out about the possible TMJ connection, my TMJ and dentist both said it could be that, but they didn't know enough about it to know for sure. It is very difficult to find a GOOD TMJ specialist. THere are some good threads on the TMJ board that might help you prepare for talking to your doctor.
You guys are great ......The Ent did not do any other testing at all....I went to another gp in my office and now he prescription sulfameth / Trimethoprim pills twice a day for 10 days and a nose spray called fluticasone propionate (what ever that is).....its been now 5 daysl and no improvement. ....what boggles me is that they just give u meds without diagnosing the problem .....I'll be going to L.A this week and I am planning to see a clinic that is worldly know called. House of ear clinic .. . ..I was told that they are well know as the best...........I guess I'll find out .....and I'll also bring up TMJ and see what they say. ... ..... thank you all for all your input
No he did not and my gp said there was no such thing .....I came home and Google it ..sure enough there it was... I can't wait to print the article and give it to him ...the more I understand the more I think that there are some real winners out there calling themselves Doctors .......
Omg do i ever know how annoying that is. I have had the same problem for over a year now. I finally found out why yesterday. My ENT said it was my nose stopping the Etube from equalizing the pressure. Somehow the left side of my nose is blocked and my nose is crooked. To find out if you have the same problem close 1 side of nose and take deep breath and repeat for other side. If you get a sniffle sound from one you need your nose straitened as its blocked.
My Ent gave me steroid spray to see if it will open it but he said its not likely. He said give it a month or two if it doesn't clear up he will have to straighten my nose. He said its a 50 50 surgery. Some patients will get relief others don't.
plugged ear 
