Question 1

ear fullness i recently flew with a cold and upon the return trip my ears never "popped" after landing.  after 7 days i still cannot hear and feel as if i need to pop my ears.  i have been to my family physician who says there is fluid but no infection.

Accepted Answer

So : So what you have is called barotrauma and your doctor is right, the fluid does not need an antibiotic if it is clear. However, having the fluid there puts you at risk for an infection- so if more than a week has passed since you saw your doctor the first time, you should be reexamined. You might try chewing gum and yawning, but since 7 days has already passed, i doubt that would work. 
You might also change to Pseudoephedrine which is more effective than phenylephrine (the active ingredient in sudefed pe). In most states now, you need to get Pseudoephedrine from the pharmacist (as it is the ingredient used to make methamphetamine). You should not take this if you have high blood pressure.

Question 2

what causes ear fullness sensation in one ear?

Accepted Answer

Eustacian tube: The eustacian tube connects your ear to your nose and allows air pressure to equalize. If the tube on one side doesn't work, that ear will feel full and may even fill with fluid. Also some patients with a sudden hearing loss will  feel fullness as well.

Question 3

i'm 25 y.o. and have been diagnosed with etd since 10 years old. since then i have a sensation of unilateral left ear fullness which gets temporary relieved few minutes or hours after nasal decongestants. should i consider surgery ? if yes, why ?

Accepted Answer

: You should only consider to have a procedure done for opening the eustachian tube if you are bothered too much with the symptom and you are quite dependent on nasal decongestants.

Question 4

ear fullness? i am having trouble hearing with ringing as well as pressure. they also pop periodically. i'm getting over a cold, how long will it be?

Accepted Answer

See an ENT: You should see an ENT doctor for an evaluation now.  It could be as simple as wax or as complicated as a viral induced nerve deafness. Contact the ENT and say you have a sudden hearing loss and get in asap. Don't wait. If it is a viral induced hearing loss the earlier treatment begins the better your chance for complete resolution.

Question 5

iv had a lot of anxiety lately. started having issues with my ears during this time. some ear fullness and pain. 3 days ago my left ear started ringing. i also get a cold felling in my left ear sometimes. could this be anxiety related? will it end?

Accepted Answer

: Do not blame all the symptoms to anxiety. Your left ear should be examined for ruling out ear problem such as otitis media or external canal blockage and hearing needs to be assessed as well.

Question 6

i suddenly got a headache 1 yr. ago, w/ dizziness, & ear fullness. everything went away except ear fullness. i hear a loud thump upon bending or straining.  no midde ear fluid seen. no tmj. no allergy?

Accepted Answer

Inner ear problem. : Sounds most like minierres  disease or a variation on that. This involves the inner ear and there is increased pressure which affects hearing a sense of fullness you can get a headache and vertigo. It will look normal. It should be checked out by an ENT specialist. Often diuretics can help.

Question 7

i close air in my left cheek (mouth) and push pressure. results in my left ear popping. ive had ear fullness and pressure for about 2-3 weeks. very little fluid usually in the morning in only that ear. infection? antibiotics help? thank you?

Accepted Answer

: What you describe is simply a Eustachian tube (between ear and throat) that is partially closed, but opens with the maneuver. This allows air to enter the middle ear.  It is of little significance. This often occurs with allergies or a cold. By itself it is not an infection.

Question 8

brief episodes of vertigo, ear fullness, ear ache, and pulsatile tinnitus in left ear for two months (started after a cold with bronchitis). also, conductive hearing loss in left ear. outer ear and tympanic membrane look fine. neur. exam. fine.

Accepted Answer

Meniere's disease?: Are you having headaches as well?  With vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears perhaps??) you've described 3/4 symptoms of Ménière's disease, the only last symptom being headaches on the side of the hearing loss and ringing in the ear.  You'd need an MRI to know that the inner ears and brain in general look OK.  Treatment for this is challenging.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: ear fullness?

Accepted Answer

Ear fullness: Ear fullness is a sense of pressure in the ears which 
 may occur due to Eustachian tube dysfunction or if the  Eustachian tube does not open with activities such as yawning or swallowing.

Question 10

have ear fullness for years. worse when i grind. related?

Accepted Answer

Possibily: Ear fullness can be many things including related to eustachian tube function which in turn can be affected by TMJ changes caused by grinding.  Best to be evaluated though.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Cold fluid sensation that moves and seperates with pain and ear fullness

A member asked:

Ear fullness i recently flew with a cold and upon the return trip my ears never "popped" after landing. after 7 days i still cannot hear and feel as if i need to pop my ears. i have been to my family physician who says there is fluid but no infection.

A member asked:

What causes ear fullness sensation in one ear?

A member asked:

I'm 25 y.o. and have been diagnosed with etd since 10 years old. since then i have a sensation of unilateral left ear fullness which gets temporary relieved few minutes or hours after nasal decongestants. should i consider surgery ? if yes, why ?

A member asked:

Ear fullness? i am having trouble hearing with ringing as well as pressure. they also pop periodically. i'm getting over a cold, how long will it be?

A member asked:

Iv had a lot of anxiety lately. started having issues with my ears during this time. some ear fullness and pain. 3 days ago my left ear started ringing. i also get a cold felling in my left ear sometimes. could this be anxiety related? will it end?

A member asked:

I suddenly got a headache 1 yr. ago, w/ dizziness, & ear fullness. everything went away except ear fullness. i hear a loud thump upon bending or straining. no midde ear fluid seen. no tmj. no allergy?

A member asked:

I close air in my left cheek (mouth) and push pressure. results in my left ear popping. ive had ear fullness and pressure for about 2-3 weeks. very little fluid usually in the morning in only that ear. infection? antibiotics help? thank you?

A member asked:

Brief episodes of vertigo, ear fullness, ear ache, and pulsatile tinnitus in left ear for two months (started after a cold with bronchitis). also, conductive hearing loss in left ear. outer ear and tympanic membrane look fine. neur. exam. fine.

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: ear fullness?

A member asked:

Have ear fullness for years. worse when i grind. related?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?