Fluid build up in both ears, any advice?

[docash1983]

Hi guys and girls,

I was wondering if any current or trainee pilots are aggravated by the same condition. I have over recent years in both ears been having problems with excess fluid (the medical term escapes me). This build up is to the point where I can put my finger in my ear and it squelches. I have been to a ENT consultant who has assured me there is no problem that he could foresee, but put me through a full hearing test, which came back perfect for my age group 20 -25. I have also contacted the AME who informed me that this is a known problem amongst pilots’ and that there was nothing that would affect my class 1 (which I plan to take in July). However, it is an annoying condition which will not abate, and was wondering how many of you out there have similar problems and what you do in order to prevent this irritating condition, or any advice you may have.

Many thanks

Docash1983

[gingernut]

I think that you need an opinion from a quack who is able to look down your lug hole.

This build up is to the point where I can put my finger in my ear and it squelches

This suggests to me that you have an external ear problem (which can easily be sorted out), but it's impossible to say without having a look.

In the mean time, try not to scratch your ears, and try and
keep it dry, (cotton wool ball smeared in Vaseline usually does the trick,)

Have a look at otitis externa, does this describe your symptoms?

[aussiepax]

It does sound like an outer ear canal problem, from the squelching symptom. I suppose your ENT had a look and excluded wax (cerumen) and foreign body in the ear canal. You should have any wax treated and use ear plugs when swimming. If it is an outer ear problem, it would have little or no impact on your fitness to fly.

More of a problem for flying would be middle ear problems which would affect you more during ascent / descent, and would need treatment with antibiotics or even grommet drainage tubes.


In either case make sure you have had a proper and thorough going over from an ENT surgeon please, not just your family physician.

Regards,
The plumber

[poss]

I have a build up behind my ear drum that means whenever there is a clap I hear a click or if i touch my ear it sounds like wind. It's a very strange one and I started wearing a hat whilst out, it appears to have been reduced a great deal.

[Hufty]

Yes, forget your GP - go see an ENT specialist. It does sound like an ear canal issue if you get squelching but if it is fluid in the ear (middle ear) then it is called otitis media or something like that. This is more tricky and will involve an examination of your eustachian tubes to make sure there isn't anything blocking them.

[Pontius Navigator]

There is also the issue of headset heat.

You wear a close fitting headset which means there will be heat trapped in the ear canal. You sweat, it can't evaporate, your ear fills up. Simple.

This may not be your problem but it is a general thing, I don't say problem, that happens to many who wear earphones, not just aircrew. One reason why they often provide cloth covers for the earphones. :)

PS, it can be a bonus. The heat melts the wax and you simply scoop it out. :}

[poss]

There is also the issue of headset heat.

You wear a close fitting headset which means there will be heat trapped in the ear canal. You sweat, it can't evaporate, your ear fills up. Simple.


Yes that is very noticable after a long cross country which is why I purchased these: http://www.flightstore.co.uk/black_cotton_full_ear_covers.pilot.supplies/use.id.5.item_id.535.dept.157.dept_l2.163.dept_l3.0/

[Pontius Navigator]

I wonder if some people forget they have posted a question, or can't find their question, or even can't be arsed to acknowledge advice.

I see tha DoCash hasn't been back since he asked the question.

[docash1983]

Thank-you all for your advice and I apologise for the delay in replying. However Pontius Navigator that was very un-needed comment, I do have other commitments which preclude me from checking the site, sometimes for quite a while!

Anyway, when I went to the ENT he did have a good luck down the ear canal, has told me I do suffer from eczema of the outer ear, again this was all relayed to the AME. The AME has advised regarding the headsets using a lubricant for inside the ear canal to prevent infection. Subsequently the ENT has prescribed something called Otiose, so maybe it is the condition which you described gingernut but to be honest I really don’t know, although the scaly skin is something which I do have, as well as the itching, irritation and discharge. However, I have never suffered from hearing loss apart from the very rare infection.

Thanks again

Docash1983

[Pontius Navigator]

docash, for which I apologise however it was not aimed only at you. Many other threads are started, answered, and never revisited. It was 10 days and I did give you 2 friendly let outs.

[docash1983]

no worries. Thanks for you advice anyway!

[gingernut]

Glad to see you've got it sorted.

It does sound like you have otitis externa, a very common condition affecting the lining of the outer canal of the ear.

I can't see any reason why this would affect your abilities as a pilot, (see the ame blah blah), some ent folk see this as being more of a skin condition, rather than an ent condition.

The key to eventual cure lies in keeping the skin in the canal dry, follow my tips above.(Vaseline/cotton wool). If the discharge gets pongy, go and get a prescribed antibiotic/or antifungal (drops), if the itching is unremmitting, try prescribed steroid drops in the short term, see an ent quack for suction and packing if no success.

Don't ever forget your GP:) He's probably a nice bloke who can at least give you sound advice or point you in the right direction if thing's don't improve.