Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa)

[webby]

Hi,

I've got this in my left ear according to my doctor. He gave me some drops a week ago, today is day 8 actually, but I've had no improvement. I had the symptoms for around 5 days before that.

Has anyone else had this, and if so, what's the usual treatment/recovery time?

My hearing is at about 25% in that ear and I'm getting a little concerned that the doc may have it wrong, I am a bloke after all; we worry about these things.

[kenworthy100]

Had this many times, usually prescribed Otosporin or similar drops (short course over five days) and analgesia in the form of paracetamol or co-codamol, recovery for me is always slow usually hearing improvement after about 10 days and back to normal after about four weeks.

Best advise if it is troubling you is to go back and let the doc or nurse have another look, on odd occasions where mine hadn't cleared the doctor felt a course of stronger antibiotics by mouth were appropriate.

[webby]

Had this many times, usually prescribed Otosporin or similar drops (short course over five days) and analgesia in the form of paracetamol or co-codamol, recovery for me is always slow usually hearing improvement after about 10 days and back to normal after about four weeks.

Best advise if it is troubling you is to go back and let the doc or nurse have another look, on odd occasions where mine hadn't cleared the doctor felt a course of stronger antibiotics by mouth were appropriate.

Thanks John. Eases my mind slightly. I've got an appointment booked for Monday afternoon just in case. I've not really had any pain with it at all, just a feeling of pressure, fullness in the ear, and loss of hearing. Oh, and it seems to be exacerbating the tinnitus I have in that ear too.

[webby]

So, 11 days from being given the ear drops and still no improvement. Saw a Doc again today who seemed a bit bemused but is sure I have an infection as it doesn't look like wax that's lining the ear canal and blocking my ear drum. He then um'd and ah'd about antibiotics, finally deciding to prescribe some to me along with some different ear drops. He said to give it another 10-14 days and if there's no improvement we'd look at micro-suction.

I'm not convinced, and I've not been convinced by him before to be honest, so I'm seeing another doc tomorrow morning for a second opinion.

[webby]

Finally got my ear syringed today, and the blockage cleared!! So relieved.

Right back to listening to some tunes.

[Barry]

Finally got my ear syringed today, and the blockage cleared!! So relieved.

Right back to listening to some tunes.

Phew! You must be greatly relieved Lee.

Well done - now enjoy those tunes! :)

[Marco]

Great news, Lee… Bet it feels better than winning the Lottery!! :eyebrows:

Marco.

[LittleTone]

I had a bout of that too; both ears infected. finally ended with antibiotics and micro suction. Haven't suffered since and that was probably over a year ago.
Probably caused it myself with various ear wax remedies and poking about trying to keep them clear. Hospital advised never to get water in them and they were right.
Glad to hear you're on the mend.

[webby]

Thanks guys. It sure is a relief to get it cleared.