Ear still infected?

[BradPlantpot]

A few years ago I had a fairly bad infection in my left ear, for which my doctor prescribed some special ear drops which killed it off in a few days. However, since then it's never quite felt the same as it did before - it seems to quite often get water stuck in it and every now and then a dull ache often flares up and the wax in the ear goes very sticky and results in a degradation of sound sensitivity compared to my right ear. The wax from my left ear also has a fairly pungent smell to it compared to the wax from my right ear.
Is it possible that the infection never properly cleared from my ear and has been there for the past 3 years?

TIA
BradPlantpot

[Cmitchell]

You should go back and see your doctor again. You should NEVER ignore earache.

I hate to tell you this but using drops/syringing the ear can cause more problems than it solves. (I thought I had a build up of wax and bought the drops and ended up getting an infection!!!) I don't want to worry you, but try to resist putting anything in your ears and do go see him/her again asap.

If you're not happy about what he/she says then keep going back and ask to be refered to an ENT specialist (ear ,nose & throat). This will involve going to the hospital but would be worth it. ENT can refere you for various types of hearing test etc.

Hope that helps, sorry if I worried you.

God bless

C

[Madison68]

Brad, get yourself to ENT as soon as you can. Something's not right in there.

[sqad617]

3yrs ago, ear infection, sound as though it has never settled, pungent smell all would indicate a middle ear involvement. C.Mitchel and Madison68 are quite correct in that you MUST see an ENT Surgeon who will suck out the mess and evaluate the situation.

[DONNNAKEBAB]

Rather than wait for an appointment to see an ENT Surgeon (16 weeks where I live) go through A&E when it is bad.

Waiting time - 4 hours.

Kaite. x

[sqad617]

If every body took that selfish attitude as suggested by DONNAKEBAB, there would be a complete breakdown of the A&E service. A stands for accident, and E stands for emergency. Bradplantpot has my sympathy, but she by defintion is not an accident and with a 3yr history of ear trouble is not an emergency. Your GP will expedite an appt to see an ENT Surgeion