My Ears Are Plugged and Ringing After Ear Infection

Updated on May 17, 2008
C.C. asks from Parker, CO
22 answers

Hi Everyone! I'm currently taking antibiotics for an ear infection and my ears are completely blocked - plus they are ringing horribly. I have a "A" going in one ear and a high whine and a hiss in the other. I'm curious if anyone has had experience with this or with alternative methods to relieve congestion?

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So What Happened?

thanks for all of your ideas! Truthfully, I just had to suffer through it - my doc put me on prednisone for inflammation which helped a lot but not completely. I went to ENT who said the tinnitus would get better but would probably always be there to some extent.

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

I've had ear infections all my life. The ringing and funny sounds, and the plugged up feeling will fade once the infection is completely cleared up. Hang in there. I know how frustrating it can be. There have been times when I can't hear anything. I resort to reading lips. I even had my tonsils out and I still get them. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!!!!

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S.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have had this happen a few times. I get ear infections a lot. I have found that, on top of the antibiotics, that over the counter decongestants work well. Anything that will break up the congestion helps, sudafed or musanex. Hope this helps. The whining is so annoying. I hope you get feeling better soon.

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J.R.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I am a huge natural remedy believer, so my advice is this, I use an herbal ear oil to cure ear infections without antibiotics. I get it from Shirlyn's Natural Foods. It is olive oil, garlic, mullen, and lobilia in a dropper. It smells horrible, but it is soooooo soothing. You put three drops in each ear and plug with cotton. It has cured countless ear infections for me, my two toddlers, and several friends have tried it. My doctor thought I was crazy, but said it couldn't hurt. The first time I used it I was at the end of my rope having a 3 yr old with a raging ear infection that had been on several antibiotics and nothing was working. I did NOT want to think about surgery and tubes so I started checking out other things. Thats when I found this ear oil. It cleared up that ear infection in 3 days, confirmed by doctor. I was shocked and so was my doctor. It was inexpensive and has worked since. Give it a shot :)

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T.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My friend told me about a neti pot, found at walmart under $20. was surprised that it worked. It works really well. Try it you ma like it.

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M.H.

answers from Denver on

Dear C.,
The best thing I know for certain physical problems is to replenish your trace minerals & calcium needs. This is best done on a liquid basis and I believe a product with Sea Vegetables and Aloe Vera is excellent. Let me know if you want more info on this product, as I do distribute it.

Good Luck,
M. Harrison ###-###-####

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A.F.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I had an ear infection a couple of months ago (only one ear, thank goodness) but I didn't get any antibiotics or anything for it. It lasted a few weeks before I felt normal again, and I even have slight pressure once in a while still. I couldn't see a doctor because I'm new to the area and have to wait like 3 months to see someone. So I asked a pharmacist if there was anything I could do over the counter and he recommended Suda-phed (decongestant). My ear infection was a result of a sinus infection that spread, and the Suda-Phed didn't decongest my ear as much as it decongested my sinuses and nasal cavity which, in my opinion, helped the ear infection to go away faster. If I hadn't had any sinus problems, my guess would be that it would have had a stronger result on my ear itself. Hopefully that helps some. Good luck! Ear infections are so awful.

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S.R.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I ear candle my whole family a couple of times a year. You can get everything at Wild Oats/Whole Foods. It's cheap and it works! If you know someone who knows how to to do it; it helps to watch someone the first time.
You can also go to your doctor and have them clean out your ears!

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N.P.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Oh, I know how you feel. That happened to me, and it lasted forever! ..About 2-3 weeks. Then, it FINALLY went away. Hopefully you will find some sort of cure on here.

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S.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

You need to call your doctor and request Flonase. I have had this happen before and the antibiotics did not help unplug the ears. I was put on Flonase and within a day or two it started draining out.

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C.G.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Hi. I thought my ears were blocked but it turned out I had otosclerosis, which is a hardening of the bones in the ear canal that causes hearing loss. It can also be very uncomfortable. My ENT suggested ibuprofen and a heating pad. He said it can be much more uncomforable if you aggravate the condition by clenching your jaw, trying to pop your ears, chewing gum, etc. The condition is apparently correctable by surgery (but of course you have to wait for it to get pretty bad first). I hope you feel better!

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M.B.

answers from Grand Junction on

Have you tried taking Sudafed (not the stuff that you can buy on the shelf.) This is a non-prescription drug but you have to buy it at the pharmacy and show your drivers liscence because the government is controlling all products made with pseudoephedra. We use the 12 hour. I also use an allergy medication along with it. We use Claritin but there are several out there. You can even have your doctor give you a prescription for an allergy medicine with a decongestant. The stuffiness may be due to allergies that are clogging up your sinuses. I know our family has a terrible time with this and the allergies have been very bad this year. Good luck.

A.E.

answers from Provo on

Hello C.,

I am so sorry to hear about your ears. I have had alot of stinken trouble with my ears for the past few years. (look at me rhyme hee hee) I love E-3 oil. I am sorry I cant remember the brand. If you go into a health food store (good earth or wild oats) And ask them for the E-3 oil they will know what and where it is. It has Garlic oil, Mullein and Lobelia oil. The oils are amazing! The garlic draws out infection and has helped the pain for me.

Hope this helps and good luck!

A.

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J.N.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Don't know if there's any relation, but the ringing that you describe could also be tintinitis. That is a long-term condition that would probably have to be diagnosed by a specialist. If the ringing persists after you have finished the full course of antibiotics, and especially after the blockage has cleared, see your doctor (again.)
Most likely it isn't, but ...

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J.G.

answers from Pueblo on

have you ever tried one of those ear wax candles that might do it. i have used them in the past they get alot of junk out! lol you can get them at health food stores mostly, kinda hard to find sometimes and only cost a couple dollars. give em a try but just to be sure ask your doctor first if it would somehow effect your ears wrong.

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A.M.

answers from Denver on

I feel for you with the ringing and all. I have had ringing all my life and find it gets worse with infections. Right now tree pollens are very high and the mold spores too. This can aggrivate your ears. I'd ask your doc about some meds for allergies for this. An ENT doc is best for this area.
Good luck, A.

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E.M.

answers from Denver on

I just had the same situation and just finished taking my antibiotics. The ringing lasted for about 5 days but my Dr recomended doing a saline rinse I think it is called neil Med it pulled all of the congestion out of my face and helped some what. Hope you feel better soon

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J.M.

answers from Denver on

I'm sure others will resond with the same advice -- garlic oil! You can find it at health food stores near the vitamins and nasal sprays, etc. Not only did it relieve the pain immediately but actually cured both mine and my sons ear infections. We didn't have to take antibiotics. Yeah! The oil comes in a small dropper bottle. What you do is the put the bottle in a glass or bowl of hot water to warm the oil. Then drop about 5 drops of the warm oil in BOTH ears. I'm almost positive this will help you immmediately!

J

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N.M.

answers from Provo on

I had a wicked ear infection a few years ago- I had the ringing for a good 2 weeks, it almost drove me batty! I saw an audiologist, and everything checked out fine. Last year I had a mild ear infection, but no ringing- I was with a friend telling her about it, I felt like my ears were plugged- she said she had a roommate who used to put a blow dryer to her ear and she swore it worked, I tried it the next time I was drying my hair- and lo and behold it worked- it helped the blockage get warm and dissipate- it didn't get rid of it completely but it was relief, and I used it a few more times before I was better.

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J.G.

answers from Provo on

Eating spicy food has worked for me. Especially spicy Indian food will do the trick. Or there is an Asian citrus tea that helps as well. It is basically finely grated orange peel and honey that you put some hot water into, and that works for me. If it doesn't go away within a week or so though, you should go in and get it checked out by an audiologist.
Best of luck!

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A.T.

answers from Denver on

If you decide you need medical help, I have an amazing doctor. Dr. Barbara Esses at Denver Ear Associates - ###-###-####. She's an ENT with a Neurology specialty and ears are her primary area of expertise. I'd had vertigo for 2 years and been to innumerable doctors, therapists and alternative/natural healers, with no success. After the first visit, she prescribed some super mild diuretics and my vertigo disappeared within 2-3 days. I still have the ringing, but it is better. She said that many people who have been in car accidents often have tinnitis. Doesn't sound like that's the case for you, but still, Esses was recommended by about 4 different people in the medical community that were in very different areas of town and specialties.

Good luck!

And thanks to the rest of you for suggestions on natural methods. I'll try some of the oils.

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K.H.

answers from Denver on

not sure if it will help with the aftermath of an ear infection, but Kyolic garlic drops can help kick the actual infection very quickly. couldn't hurt to try it... garlic is a super strong natural antibiotic.

i used a few drops in each ear several times a day, for my 2-year-old daughter when she had an ear infection -- in a day and a half her loose stools caused by the infection had stopped and her ears weren't hurting any longer. traditional docs has suggested a 10-day course of antibiotics... not necessary as it turned out because of the garlic.

you can buy Kyolic drops at Whole Foods Market or any natural food store or vitamin shop.

Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I have a remedy in my email files that i can send you.
email me at ____@____.com

J.
http://www.saferisbetter.com/jmej7

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