How to detect an inner ear infection ?
 

I don't think this can be done by just 'peering in one's ear' as the inner ear is beyond the eardrum.

Anyone know how this is done ?

Inner or middle?

Are you still experiencing problems with your balance Stilton? - I hope you're back to flying again.

Currently off sick with an ear infection! The simple answer is can you feel or sense fluid in your ear?. After I suffered from a quick cold I felt my left ear fill with fluid. Sure enough two weeks later and several courses of antibiotics/penacilin I am making a slow recovery. Grounded myself today due to lack of rest from disturbed sleep (pain from ear):yuk:. The doctor made sure that my ears where equalising the pressure before I contiuned to work...

That's middle ear - the bit inside the eardrum. Inner ear is balance and nerves.

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NOT a substitute for antibiotics, but to aid the clearing and general heath of the tissues involved.

Saline solution, sniffing, and more saline solution. Posted lots on this - note the bit about hanging upside down.

Inner ear is no laughing matter.

I had several months off work due to barotrauma from a very very mild cold (just a nose sniffle!!) leading to inner ear problems - vestibular disfunction.

Not fun unable to even drive a car - because you feel too "drunk".

Tried going back to work a little too early - the simulator completely stuffed my head up and basically had to "relearn" the eye and balance co-ordination - took a long long time.

From my experience - I will NEVER ever go near an aircraft with any cold or ear problems. The unexpected results are not worth it.

I now have grommets in the ears to help prevent colds from inflaming the issue (I would subsequently get blocked ears with any remote sniffle).