My ears have been plugged up for over a week now. The best way to describe it is that they feel like when you go on a plane and your ears plug up and then they "pop open". Well, they won't "pop open".

They don't hurt, but I'm having trouble hearing. I went to the drugstore last night and bought an ear wax removal kit -- it says to use twice a day for 4 days -- which I will do.

Unfortunately, I have to fly Monday (I haven't been on a plane for over 20 years and I'm nervous enough!)and I'm very worried about my ears really hurting on the plane. I've had earaches in the past and they are the worst

I have an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist on Friday, but I was wondering if anybody has any advice until then.

I'm hoping that if I do have an infection, the doctor will just give me an antibiotic -- and I will have 72 hours for it to work.

The trip is for a 4-day computer training class for work so I really have to go if at all possible.

Chewing gum? Not IN your ear but chew it.. could work out the wax or whatever is stopping them up.

Editing to add...

When my sinuses get clogged up... I find my NECK and SHOULDERS are tight and tense. If I can loosen those.. massage or relaxation.. my sinuses drain and clear up automatically with no meds.
Has something to do with the tube in your nose that runs down your neck getting pinched from the tight muscles.

Maybe the same with your ears? Is your neck and shoulder muscles tense?

Sounds silly when I type it out, but it really works for me!

__________________
Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

My ears have done that several times this summer. I think it's allergies, but am not sure. They will be plugged for 3-4 days and drive me nuts and then it just goes away. Maybe you'll luck out and it'll just go away before you fly?

Lisa

__________________
"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

Might try some Sudafed PE. Sounds like maybe your tubes are all swollen. Have you been swimming lately? Swimming can cause that sensation. However, if it is earwax, swimming will clean the excess wax. DS has excess earwax that causes him not to hear well all the time.

Usually when mine are like that, it's an ear infection and I have to go in for antibiotics. My dr. always suggests sudafed when my allergies/sinuses are bad. You may try that but if they still don't unstop, you may have an ear infection. My ears never hurt when they're infected either. The dr. says that's common which is why a lot of people don't know they have an ear infection.
Hope you feel better soon!

Just be careful taking any OTC antihistamines/decongestants if you have High blood pressure. Certain OTC meds can cause your pressure to spike up pretty high.

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

This is going to sound weird...but there may some fluid in there...swimming lately maybe? Anyway, try using a blow dryer at a low setting of course...be careful not to burn yourself...Just blow the warm air into your air. Maybe that might help dry up whatever is in there and it won't feel clogged up. ~Lisa

Gee, thanks for the responses

I'm not a swimmer so I know it's not that.

And I do have high blood pressure (among other problems) so I don't think I want to try any OTC meds.

Guess I'll have to wait until the doctor's appointment tomorrow to find out what's going on.

It's really annoying, and I didn't know that I could have an infection even though it doesn't hurt. That's helpful information.

A flashlight gives just the right amount of heat when you feel like you need heat in your ear but if the light shines out the other side you have a real problem.

I have had something simlar happen to me, seems like out of the blue. Last week I felt like the TV set was playing WAY too loud and I kept telling the family "turn it down"!!! next day my ears were full...sort of like having your head part under water, some sounds muffled,some LOUD. It also dulled my taste and smell senses. stomach sick slightley too. I felt like..poo. next day it was gone.
I've never had sinus problems in the past or allergies...I guess we will chock another one up to old age.
I also have high blood pressure and otc cold type meds make me feel anxious and spaced out- so is this a one time thing or is this something that I'm prone to? I thought maybe it was going on our ski boat and the wind in my ears, I don't do lake water so that's not it..... I hope to keep away from the DR. I am allergic to going to the DR.

Well, fortunately, the problem was a simple wax build-up in both ears, not an infection. I am so relieved.

The doctor "flushed out" both ears and then "vacuumed" them. Very uncomfortable, but not really painful.

He said I should be fine to fly Monday.

I hope your ears unstop soon. That is such a miserable feeling. It echoes when you talk or eat or anything. Anyway, take care.

I had an ear canal infection over the fourth of July. I took 10 days of Augmentin. It still hurt so I went back, got eardrops for a week, went back again for another week of a different ear drop and for the last week now it's been plugged up. It's driving me NUTS!! I have been taking Claritin and Nasonex and doing all the other stuff-holding, my nose/mouth and blowing many times a day, yawning, gum chewing, nothing works. My doc told me to try the allergy meds for two weeks and then it's off to the specialist. I really don't have that much for allergy symptoms but they can tell it's from allergies. I think this summer is really bad and with all the flood problems there are probably also mold spores. Can't wait for the first hard frost!