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I have an intermittent fullness sensation in my right ear.

Posted by lou1969 @lou1969, 3 days ago

For the past several years I have been experiencing an issue in my right ear. It has never been a consistent problem but lately it has become a daily issue. I feel a fullness sensation, almost the feeling as if there is a woolly worm crawling out of my ear. Sounds strange I know, but it is very real. In the beginning it drove me crazy! Different physicians would just write it off like it was nothing. Usually blaming it on allergies or sinus issues. One said it was Shingles, Not! Another thought it could be peripheral neuropathy. But again, they wouldn’t follow through. Fast forward 3-4 years. It is now a daily occurrence compared to the 2-3 times per month last lasted only a day or less. Now it lasts almost all day followed by ear pain once the fullness has gone. I sure could use some advice on what I need to do next. This isn’t normal. Please help!

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Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | 3 days ago

@lou1969

Welcome to Mayo Connect.

I had a similar problem for years and was getting progressively worse. Ears looked fine from the exterior. My primary provider suggested nasal sprays, but they did not solve the problem. I got a referral to an ENT specialist for a hearing test and exam.

In the first year (2024), the hearing was similar in both ears, but a nasal endoscopy revealed fluid behind the eardrum and eustachian tube dysfunction. I did nothing at the time because my hearing was not affected. In 2025, when hearing was retested, it showed a decline in hearing in the right ear, so I elected to have an ear tube placed to drain fluid. Made a huge difference. I will repeat the hearing test in 6 months. I wish I had done it sooner.

Have you seen an ENT specialist?

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delweb98 | @delweb98 | 3 days ago

Hi I am new to this thread. I started with ear fullness in the right ear in 2022. Told it was hearing loss. So got hearing aids. That’s when both ears clogged up. Have had tubes, balloning in both ears and 4 hearing aids. Allergy shots, steroid sprays, antihistamines, no help. 🤷🏼‍♀️

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