My ears are hissing--What is going on?

[tonka97]

You know, if you have ear problems you might want to watch this video. A ENT doctor/diver explains equalization techniques in detail. Might help out anyone with ear troubles.

http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.aspx?rID=2272

Thanks for link; takes me back to my Univ. of WA days.

One tip I've learned (I've had ear barotrauma) is that when performing Valsalva to loosely squeeze nostrils, not pinch them tightly. I allow air to exit my nose as I pressurize the eustachian tube.

Works for me, and probably avoids additional self imposed barotrauma.

 

[tonka97]

At times I have the same problem, my doc. perscribed Genasal B 4 I go diving. There is also a procedure now I'm quoting "It's called Ear Candling. Hollow ear candles R used 2 treat the inner ear with soothing warm air. This ia an ancient practice and very effective, in removing ear wax,and relieves ear, sinus and throat pressure." Just FYI

With all due respect, Ear Candling is Quackery

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candling.html

also:

"Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth, Exeter, UK. Edzard.Ernst@pms.ac.uk

Ear candles are hollow tubes coated in wax which are inserted into patients' ears and then lit at the far end. The procedure is used as a complementary therapy for a wide range of conditions. A critical assessment of the evidence shows that its mode of action is implausible and demonstrably wrong. There are no data to suggest that it is effective for any condition. Furthermore, ear candles have been associated with ear injuries. The inescapable conclusion is that ear candles do more harm than good. Their use should be discouraged.

PMID: 14979962 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]"

:shakehead

 

[awmurray]

With all due respect, Ear Candling is Quackery

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candling.html

I have to agree with this.

I used to have ear wax build up problems where eventually the wax would shift to the point that I couldn't hear! This happened quickly (like in 6 months once it was cleaned).

Anyway, I once tried Ear Candling because someone bought me one since they were told it helped with clearing ear wax. It did nothing of any use and was obviously potentially dangerous. Imagine having a lit, hollow tube in your ear that slowly (over 20 minutes or so) burns down to your ear. Now imagine a burning piece falling into your ear :11:. All the candling "procedure" did was cause a little ear turbulence and that was all.

The solution to my ear wax problem was getting an ENT to remove the wax and then constantly keeping it clean on my own... in my case daily. Haven't had a significant build up in years.

Also, on topic:

I have the same "hiss" that the OP was talking about. It happens when I pressurize my ears. It gets to a point and then I hear the hiss in my right ear (like air is getting out). No pain at all.

I have not noticed this before and I know for certain that it didn't do this before a recent ear infection I had. The ear infection was followed by a mild sinus cold where I literally could NOT equalize my ears (just getting over that). I think these types of infections can cause this "hissing"... an RN told me this, too. Like the OP said, it isn't necessarily a perforated ear drum.

 

[Digger54]

A friend showed up at a party with some ear candles. Said they were great for removing earwax. Had us use one on her. After it burned down there was a dark brown residue in the lower parts of the candle which most thought must surely be earwax.

Except me. I said, "Let's apply a little science and do a control." So we burned another ear candle out in the open without placing it in anyone's ear. Guess what? Same brown residue in the candle. Just smoked up candle wax, nothing more. Unless the candles could miraculously teleport earwax from several feet away!

Friend was P. O.d for buying the silly things. And a little embarrassed too, I think.