“I’m struggling to hear in my right ear, and it’s painful?”
I am a 16 year old female. Height: 167cm Weight: 63kg Race: Asian/white
Duration of complaint: 2 weeks
Location: right ear
Any existing relevant medical issues: none
Current medications: sertraline 100mg, nexplanon
I’ve been experiencing some troubles with my right ear recently. I believe that it’s clogged with earwax — my hearing through it is very muffled, and it’s painful to touch. I’m aware you shouldn’t put anything in your ear, but I was a little desperate and used cotton buds and there was a significant amount of wax. I’ve also tried hydrogen peroxide, which didn’t seem to have much of an effect. Is there anything that I can be recommended? It’s been challenging going about my life, half unable to hear properly.
I used to wear earbuds in my ears every night to sleep before I misplaced them last week. It feels a little off when I don’t touch it, and when I do, it’s painful. It’s hard to describe the pain, but it’s more than discomfort. I’ve e-mailed my pharmacist and I was told I would need anti-biotics if there is discharge, but that’s it. I have autism so I’m a little shy when it comes to phone calls. I’m not sure that this is severe enough to ask my GP. Do you have any advice? Should I ring the GP at some point? Thank you.
Duration of complaint: 2 weeks
Location: right ear
Any existing relevant medical issues: none
Current medications: sertraline 100mg, nexplanon
I’ve been experiencing some troubles with my right ear recently. I believe that it’s clogged with earwax — my hearing through it is very muffled, and it’s painful to touch. I’m aware you shouldn’t put anything in your ear, but I was a little desperate and used cotton buds and there was a significant amount of wax. I’ve also tried hydrogen peroxide, which didn’t seem to have much of an effect. Is there anything that I can be recommended? It’s been challenging going about my life, half unable to hear properly.
I used to wear earbuds in my ears every night to sleep before I misplaced them last week. It feels a little off when I don’t touch it, and when I do, it’s painful. It’s hard to describe the pain, but it’s more than discomfort. I’ve e-mailed my pharmacist and I was told I would need anti-biotics if there is discharge, but that’s it. I have autism so I’m a little shy when it comes to phone calls. I’m not sure that this is severe enough to ask my GP. Do you have any advice? Should I ring the GP at some point? Thank you.
16 years old
Complaint duration: 2 weeks
Conditions: None
2 Answers
No idea. You need to be examined
The hearing problem is most likely caused by a earwax (cerumen) build up or impaction. The pain you experience when you touch it is most likely due to infection or inflammation of your ear canal. In order to treat the ear canal infection (otitis externa) you should be seen by your GP or at a local urgent care or ER. It's easy to treat and with the proper medicine usually resolves in a few days. They may also be able to take care of the impacted cerumen at the same time.
