@papawg1947

Something similar happened to me just once. I have a profound bilateral heating loss, prone to ear infections and get ear checkups every 4 months or so. Over a year ago at one of the checkups I mentioned my hearing wasn’t as acute as it was and had drainage out of my right ear. It was a fungus “infection”. Other than drainage and itching and a little decreased hearing I had no other symptoms. There are 2 types of fungus, one of which is not visible under an otoscope and one which has physical signs. I don’t know which one I had. He didn’t want to use an antibiotic or steroid because they change the ph of the ear and decrease the good bacteria you need. He thinks there is a general overuse of antibiotics …..I happen to agree.

He treated both ears ( my left ear was itchy but no drainage) with providone iodine. Told me to use for 3 days (if I remember correctly) and I returned for a follow up in a week. Everything was squeaky clean….my hearing was normal, no discharge or itchiness.

Providone iodine is ototoxic according to a study in animals. This may be why he didn’t want me to use it for more than 3 days.

I am only telling you this to let you know of another possible cause and am not recommending the use of Iodine. My ENT wears hearing aids, is board certified and has won numerous awards among his peers in the Tampa Bay Area.

By the way, they used to call sticky ear discharge Glue Ear…don’t don’t if that term is still used.

I hope you get results. This is especially hard for anyone who wears hearing aids.

FL Mary