On June 16th, I was taking a shower and as I was about to get out, water flowed into my right ear and absolutely clogged it. I mean, it was so clogged it felt like someone stuck a fist into my ear. I panicked badly. I put "acetic acid otic" into my ear but that didn't seem to work. Slowly, through most of the day, the clogging died down and I regained at least 80~90% of my hearing. It still feels clogged, but definitely not as much.
Sometimes, I can feel something like a fluid trying to leak out, but it never actually comes out of my ear. Moving my jaw to the left will cause a pressure to build in my ear and moving it to the right will relieve it. If I open my mouth wide enough, it will clog just a bit. If I tug or push on my ear certain ways, it will either build up a pressure (which goes away when I stop tugging/pushing) or it will make the clogged feeling go away.
What is this? Is this ear wax that became impacted when the water flowed into my ear? Is it water behind my ear drum? I am confused and I would appreciate it very, very much if someone threw suggestions at me
UPDATE 6/26/2012: I woke up with ringing in my right ear and it still hasn't gone away.
I'm sorry, but I'm really getting anxious. Does anyone have any clue as to what is wrong with me? I would really, really highly appreciate if someone could provide some insight, as I can't really afford a doctor. I haven't seen any thread with similar symptoms as mine (jaw moving to left causes ear pressure, etc). Please help
To tell you the truth, your symptoms sound a bit like a problem with jaw alignment (TMJD), since you are able to modulate them by manipulating the jaw. When muscles are in spasm or the jaw not aligned properly, it can impact ear function and lead to a clogged, full feeling. The tiny structures of the ear and the TMJ joint "share equipment," so to speak, and when the joint is not sitting properly, the area is so tiny that it can refer sensation right into the ear.
The other thing to consider is allergy. I don't know where you live, but this time of year where I live, pollen is very bad and can inflame the throat and eustachian tubes, leading to a clogged feeling. Perhaps when you move the jaw to the side, you are pulling swollen structures apart and opening the e-tube more? Some people use their jaws to equalize their ears, so it stands to reason that using your jaw could also pressurize your ear...
The following user gives a hug of support to jenni9033: Octans (06-28-2012)
Thanks a lot! I've considered TMJ, but not too seriously. When I lost my hearing that day I panicked really bad because I am very protective of my ears (since my left one is already has hearing loss. I was born that way, as far as I know). I live in Florida, and we just finished getting smacked by a tropical storm, so the humidity and heat are through the roof right now. Could that be contributing to the problem? Thanks again
Also, i'd like to add that sometimes when I begin speaking, the first word that I utter makes my ear pop just slightly. I suppose this could fit in with the TMJD suspicion
Last edited by Octans; 06-28-2012 at 12:31 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to Octans For This Useful Post: Lenore6 (06-28-2012)
Hi, when my e-tubes have been really cloggy, I have gotten popping with speaking, especially on words that begin with a k/c (because making a k sound actually causes e-tubes to open slightly). Try saying "cookie" a few times, and see if you get clicking in your throat. This would indicate e-tubes and not TMJ joints (the joints also can click and pop, adding to the confusion!).
I am finding my ETD friends really suffer on hot and humid days. I'm lucky that we don't get bad humidity here often in the Pacific NW. I feel horrible when storm fronts come in, though. My ringing goes through the ROOF!
Could be the joints, then. Have you been under unusual stress lately? Do you know if you grind or clench?
I never knew I had TMD because my jaw never hurt. Only signs were chipping/wear on teeth for years. Then finally it hit my ears, along with allergies to everything that grows here. A double-whammy.
Actually, yeah I have been under extreme stress lately. To put it short, I had to end a relationship this month. Very, very stressful. Also, yes I do clench my teeth a lot and most of the times I don't realize it. When I do notice, I immediately stop. Then of course when water went to my ear, I got very, very stressed.
Thanks a lot for your help! I feel like I'm starting to understand this finally.
Also, can you or someone answer this?: can shower water really cause ETD? I've searched on Google, but I can't find any answer. So does this mean no?
Last edited by Octans; 06-28-2012 at 03:10 PM.
The following user gives a hug of support to Octans: jenni9033 (06-28-2012)
Shower water shouldn't cause ETD because the tympanic membrane (eardrum) prevents water from going into the middle ears and reaching the tubes. The only exception to that would be if you have a tear or perforation in your eardrum.
Wow, that's really good to hear. I don't think I have a perforated eardrum, since I've read that those are supposed to hurt and cause blood to leak from your ears and are caused by infection or blunt trauma, none of which have happened to me.
Today I woke up with my right ear (the affected ear) completely and mostly clogged. I felt a big pressure and I could barely hear out of it. I completely panicked and walked around trying to calm myself. Eventually, I did and I went back to bed and laid down on the bed with my right ear facing down, after some minutes there was a 'pop' and my hearing mostly returned. Throughout the day, the clogginess died down compared to the morning. There's ringing now. Later, my ear started clicking when I spoke, especially when I made hard c/k noises (just like you said, jennifleck). But that eventually stopped.
Help, what is wrong with me? I'm going to a public clinic on Monday, but right now I'm really scared. I've been terrified ever since June 16th when this whole ear stuff started. What is going on with me?
I also have another question: what's the best position to sleep in? I don't want to experience again what happened this morning
Update again: I woke up with my right ear almost totally clogged. I'd say it reduced my hearing by 90%. My brother looked into my ear and he said he could see something completely blocking my ear. I'm going to the clinic tomorrow. I'm starting to think this is impacted ear wax
I went to the clinic today and they found that I have a wall of ear wax blocking my right ear. Apparently, when water went into my ear, it shifted or it became engorged.
