For the past few days, my left ear has felt a bit stopped up. I can hear what sounds like my heartbeat. Has anyone else had this problem. If so, how can it be fixed? Should I see a doctor, or just let it go away by itself? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
"See doctor"?
"Ask for advice on rock band's website?"
I think the answer is pretty obvious!
{ searching internet for sound clip of Cheech and Chong's 'Earache My Eye' }
Yes, by all means seek professional help.
An ENT (ear/nose/throat) specialist is your best bet here. It may require a referral from your primary physician if you have one.
it may be something as simple as wax build up.
I would see your PCP prior to a specialist. If he / she can't solve the problem, by all means go to ENT
it may be something as simple as wax build up.
I would see your PCP prior to a specialist. If he / she can't solve the problem, by all means go to ENT
Couldn't have said it better. I have the wax cleaned out by my PCP about every 5 years. It builds up, they do the best cleaning and the difference is really noticeable.
If that doesn't work, see a Specialist.
No harm in trying a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and warm water dripped into your ear from a cotton ball. If it is an ear wax buildup, you will hear the hydrogen peroxide bubbling. If that is the case, repeat ever four hours or so and the wax will soften and eventually drain.
Remember, only drip into ear, do not insert anything into your ear.
Try this first. Put on your headphones and play "Hey Hey, My My (Out of the Blue)" with the volume cranked to 10. That should clear it out. Then go see the doctor.
You should also ask your doctor to listen to your carotid arteries with the stethoscope. He/she will be able to hear if they are clear or not.
I don't know how old you are, but when I was in my mid 50's, I started hearing what sounded like my heart beating and a wooshing noise in my left ear. The noise soon developed a squeeky sound. It was really annoying when I was trying to go to sleep so I went to my doctor about it as like you, I thought something was wrong with my ear.
The doctor said he could hear "bruits" in my left carotid artery and sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound revealed a 90% blockage. I had surgery two days later and was told I was lucky I didn't have a stroke.
"See doctor"?
"Ask for advice on rock band's website?"
I think the answer is pretty obvious!
Of course he should ask us, we know a lot around here. It could be a blocked Eustachian tube (like when your ears pop from flying or going into a train tunnel), could be congestion, if your nose is stuffed up sometimes blowing it causes that in your ears.
So first thing is, how are your allergies? Stuffy nose? If so, decongestants can help the nose and the ears. Try to avoid nose spray if possible, or if you cannot, then get children's strength of 2% oxymetazoline Hcl (the stuff in Afrin). Afrin is 5% and will give you a bad rebound. If you can't find children's 2% strength get some sterile water from the pharmacist, a sterile eye dropper, and then pour some of the nose spray out and dilute the concentration to 2%.
You can also get some eucalyptus lozenges, the vapors will help open your nose up, or even the mint tic-tacs will help.
Are you in the south? Hayfever season starts in May this year because of the extended winter. In the north east it starts in June instead of March-April. If you are in the south it could be the start of your seasonal allergies. IF you have seasonal allergies, get some Flonase and start with that 1-2 sprays in each nostril twice per day. If you get bad allergies, get Nasacort (which is stronger, it is a glucocorticoid, you only use it ONCE per day, ONE spray in each side of your nose).
If you have allergies, stuffy nose, try the above first, if that doesn't work, then you may need to see an Ear Nose and Throat Dr.
By the way, the humidity level in the air is low these days, if you are stuffed up, try a cool mist humidifier (go to Walgreens get one of theirs for $29.99) use that at least at night in the house. It will NOT put mold on your walls.
You could also use a vaporizer and breathe the mist, or sit in the bathroom with the shower on hot and breath that.
Bottom line is, are allergies causing or adding to the ear problem? If so, relieving the allergies can help clear up the ears.
Food allergies can also cause congestion. The foods you are eating could be causing allergies.
Ear problems can also be from lymph node drainage from dental problems. They drain through the lymph nodes in your neck near your ears. If you don't have any allergies or dental issues going on, then go to an ENT. Otherwise try to manage the allergies first.
Today's visit is no charge, we like it that way around here.
I'm not a doctor, but i did stay at a holiday inn express last night…..try alcohol……….drink more
a paper clip works perfect for cleaning out ear wax just open open the clip. scoop it out.
I had the same thing happened to me about four years ago. My problem turned out being a blood vessel that had coiled and started resting up against my auditory nerve. That was why am I could hear my heartbeat in my ear. The only way it can be fixed is with brain surgery. Obviously, that's nothing I am looking to leap into, so I have just been dealing with it. It has affected my equilibrium as well is my ability to sing on pitch.
If you have also been experiencing dizziness, as I had, you will have to see your PCP first and have a referral to the ENT. As soon as you mention dizziness, they require a referral. Hopefully, you won't have the same problem I have. Hopefully it's either wax buildup, or allergies, just as the other guys have suggested.
A friend of mine lost his hearing overnight to a virus. He jerked around talked to his brother who was a dentist before he went to the M.D. Now he is stone deaf in his one ear. DO NOT WAIT SEE A DOCTOR TOMORROW. Some things can not be fixed if you wait to long.
