Korean Job Discussion Forums

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

While I'm on my cold medication, I don't have any problems with pressure in my ears. But, when the cold medication starts to wear off, the pressure starts building up again as does the snot production. My hearing is back to normal now that I do have the cold medicine.

I get this problem almost every time I have a cold, and frequently when I'm suffering from seasonal allergies, so I don't think it's wax. If it were wax, it would ALWAYS be a problem, not just a few times a year, right?

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Go to the hospital now, foo!

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

Is the ear pressure in combination with sinus headaches? Does your forehead also hurt?

I've had this problem in Korea, and I believe it may be connected to the amount of air pollution. I've found that not consuming anything with caffeine helps. You could try not drinking any coffee or green tea or eating any chocolate.

Of course, as with the others, I'm no doctor. But it seems odd that the remedies you tried didn't unblock your ears.

Ken:>

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

Nope, not having any sinus headaches. Forehead is fine. I rarely consume caffeine. Don't drink tea, coffee...just the rare Dr. Pepper. Not eating any chocolate? Are you completely out of your mind? Give up chocolate? I'd rather let a Korean doctor go after my ears with a screwdriver! Laughing

Anyway, it is now so mild that I can hardly notice it. The cold is also almost gone.

d503 · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Location: Daecheong, Seoul

I used to get have problems with ear pressure when I had colds, if you go to a doctor you can ask for ear drops that will reduce the swelling. Also those bottles of drops have a decent shelf-life so you can use them for a couple of colds or so.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Yeah, you need to get some antibiotics. Right before I moved to South Korea I came down with something called sinucitis and the only sympom was extreme phlegm build-up, such that I experienced the ear pressure you described. It lasted for a total of about two weeks, even with the antibiotics, so I suggest you get to the doctor. Smile

EH · Joined: 20 Mar 2003

I'm a speech-language pathologist. We know about hearing, as well as speech.

Please, do not put anything at all in your ears. This includes olive oil, and especially "ear candles" (do you have any idea how many people have set their hair on fire that way? You think it won't happen to you. Then it does.). Go to a doctor. Or an audiologist, who can deal with earwax (but will not diagnose medical conditions).

And a word on ear tubes: they really are not a big deal. They're very tiny. Kids get them in the US all the time. If a Korean doc says you need them, it's okay to just do it and not worry too much. As the ear drum regrows the tubes are naturally pushed out, usually without you even noticing.

For more info, try the American Speech-Language Hearing Association website at www.asha.org

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

I chew gum.

D-Man · Joined: 17 Jun 2008

2 weeks ago, I took a trans atlantic flight with a raging head cold and consequently because of the pressure changes during the flight,my left ear became 90% deaf after the flight.

I tried everything to unblock that ear but the only thing that worked was time.

I only got my hearing back yesterday after 14 days of misery.

Wait it out and it will eventually clear up on it's own.

It may take up to a month, but the eardrum is resiliant and will always clear itself up with time.

If you're having pain in the ear however,you should see a specialist in order to get some antibiotics.

Good luck!