Need advice about my doctor and my ear pain

[deepocean]

Hello,

One year ago I developed an ear infection after diving in some local (fresh water) diving spot. It was painful for about 3 or 4 weeks. After I took lots of ear drops and even antibiotics it finally cured. well sort of...

However according to my doctor he could still see some trace of ear "irritation" after I kept complaining about itching (1 year ago! that is after 1 month of treatment) and he advised me to keep using ear drops which I did. But the problem was that the ear drops did not completely went through my left ear. Somehow the way was blocked. I told my doctor this a couple of time but he kept ignoring me saying I should more patient etc..

Now a full year later I am diving again but my left ear is not as it was 1 year ago. That is, my left ear still "itches" a lot. I have a feeling that the left side ear is not clean. So I have asked my doctor several times to flush out my ears. At first he said that he could still see some ear irritation (because the ear of a little red from inside) and I should come back later after my ear cured completely.

Now however he keeps telling me that even though he sees some dirt there is enough space for air to pass and flushing out is not necessary and potentially dangerous as it may damage the ears (because it widens the ear passage)??

My problem is that because of the itching in my ear I cant keep my finger off my ear and I keep blow my nose. Also because I itch my ear so often I feel a little pain in my ear again: that is because I keep rubbing / itching it my ear becomes irritated. And every time I sneeze or blow my nose I feel the itching starting again. I really think something is not right with my left ear.


What should I do? Is flushing my ears potentially damaging to my ears?


I hope a medic can give his second opinion fast because my left ear is frustrating me a lot.
thanks!

 

[doctormike]

Hello,

One year ago I developed an ear infection after diving in some local (fresh water) diving spot. It was painful for about 3 or 4 weeks. After I took lots of ear drops and even antibiotics it finally cured. well sort of...

However according to my doctor he could still see some trace of ear "irritation" after I kept complaining about itching (1 year ago! that is after 1 month of treatment) and he advised me to keep using ear drops which I did. But the problem was that the ear drops did not completely went through my left ear. Somehow the way was blocked. I told my doctor this a couple of time but he kept ignoring me saying I should more patient etc..

Now a full year later I am diving again but my left ear is not as it was 1 year ago. That is, my left ear still "itches" a lot. I have a feeling that the left side ear is not clean. So I have asked my doctor several times to flush out my ears. At first he said that he could still see some ear irritation (because the ear of a little red from inside) and I should come back later after my ear cured completely.

Now however he keeps telling me that even though he sees some dirt there is enough space for air to pass and flushing out is not necessary and potentially dangerous as it may damage the ears (because it widens the ear passage)??

My problem is that because of the itching in my ear I cant keep my finger off my ear and I keep blow my nose. Also because I itch my ear so often I feel a little pain in my ear again: that is because I keep rubbing / itching it my ear becomes irritated. And every time I sneeze or blow my nose I feel the itching starting again. I really think something is not right with my left ear.


What should I do? Is flushing my ears potentially damaging to my ears?


I hope a medic can give his second opinion fast because my left ear is frustrating me a lot.
thanks!

Hi, thanks for writing!

I hope that this doesn't sound arrogant, but are you talking about an ENT doctor or a general medical doctor? Most internists are very bright, and know a lot about medicine, but the ear is often a mystery to many non-ENT physicians.

You are using very vague terms, that don't give me the sense that any sort of real diagnosis was given to you. Also, an "ear infection" can mean two completely different things: A middle ear infection (sometimes from barotrauma, treated with antibiotics), and an outer ear infection (swimmer's ear, from water exposure, treated with cleaning and drops).

I don't recommend "flushing" in general, especially if there is more of a problem than just impacted ear wax. It is done with no visualization of the ear, and if there is a problem like a swimmer's ear or an eardrum perforation, it can make it worse.

The right way to take care of a problem like this is to see an ENT doctor (preferably one who specializes in ears - an "otologist") who can clean your ear canal with a microscope under direct vision, and give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. If you tell me where you are writing from, I might be able to give you a local recommendation.

Best,

Mike