[003]

I had to sleep where it was noisy (for sleep anyway), so I wore these silicone putty ear plugs. They work really well for blocking sound, but when I woke up, my ears really hurt, my hearing was a little muffled and when I clicked my teeth, or tapped my head or anything like that, I could hear the sound echo in my head.

My ears have been like this all day. Should I be worried?

 

[TheMarchingMule]

No point in beating around the bush...

Yes.

Actually, what you described reminds me of shellshock...

 

[mrdeadfolx]

I'd definitely make a trip to the doc out of it.

 

[Borg166]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had to sleep where it was noisy (for sleep anyway), so I wore these silicone putty ear plugs.

What were the ear plugs specifically designed for?

 

[003]

A wide range of things, including sleeping (said so on the package).

The muffled hearing has gotten better (still not perfect) but I still have this really weird echo thingy and a slight dull pain in my ears.

 

[Borg166]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif A wide range of things, including sleeping (said so on the package). The muffled hearing has gotten better (still not perfect) but I still have this really weird echo thingy and a slight dull pain in my ears.

You may want to take it easy for a few days. I'd call up a ear specialist just to ease any fears you may have. This kind of stuff can do all kinds of psychological damage to you because I went through the exact same thing when I did factory work for 7 years (where hearing protection is very important).

Just make sure that you read all instructions on those kinds of products, even if they're simple ear plugs. I should note however that plastic ear plugs hurt my small ear canals and I prefer soft, foam ones for things like concerts.

 

[kramer5150]

I have always been kind of wary of those putty-substance earplugs. I would think it would be all-too easy to remove them too fast and create a vacuum on the eardrum. I'm speculating that you may have in-advertently done something similar in your sleep. Maybe rolling on them building up pressure on the eardrum. Or somehow doing the opposite and creating negative pressure on the eardrum for an extended period.

If it were me I'd get my ears checked pronto.

 

[ClieOS]

That's why you should have used foam pad instead of silicon... You should visit a doc if things didn't change

 

[003]

Well, the symptoms HAVE decreased throughout the day, it's just that they are still here at all, and not totally gone which worries me.

It it continues tomorrow I will have it checked out. What exactly happens when positive or negative pressure is made in the ear canal?

I don't use the foam ones because, well, the putty ones work better. Not just a little better, but a LOT better. If you sleep with somebody who is snoring, the foam ones make it quieter but you can still hear it. Put on the putty ones, and ahhh... sweet silence.

 

[bcwang]

Maybe you need to "pop" your ears like when riding on an airplane? You might just have a pressure imbalance.

 

[003]

I've tried pinching my nose and blowing out, it just made it worse.


Also, sometimes when I burp or yawn, it gets worse, until the burp or yawn is complete and it returns to the way it was.

 

[slydog64]

pinching your nose and blowing out pushes your drum out. Perhaps you need to push them in

 

[GravY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borg166 /img/forum/go_quote.gif You may want to take it easy for a few days. I'd call up a ear specialist just to ease any fears you may have. This kind of stuff can do all kinds of psychological damage to you because I went through the exact same thing when I did factory work for 7 years (where hearing protection is very important). Just make sure that you read all instructions on those kinds of products, even if they're simple ear plugs. I should note however that plastic ear plugs hurt my small ear canals and I prefer soft, foam ones for things like concerts.

I work at a Ford Stamping plant and I wear my IEM's all day every day.. music on or off they are in my head protecting my hearing

 

[joze7205]

You probably should see a doctor, but what you describe sounds like plugs of wax in your ears. I got it after using ear plugs during the night. I was almost deaf. I had to go to the doctor to flush my ear. When the ear canals are irritated they produce more wax.

 

[Davesrose]

Don't hold your nose and blow!! That causes strain on your middle ear. You can try yawning and chewing gum. Since it's only been a day, I wouldn't worry too much about this. Sounds like its getting better already. Tomorrow if you don't feel a lot better, then it's time to get a bit more worried. And if by day 3, your ears are still bothering, then definitely seek a doctor.

What probably happened was that the earplugs don't allow your ear to "breath" and a pressure imbalance just made your eardrum and middle ear tired. I doubt you perferated your eardrum, but that's the main condition associated with the eardrum.

http://www.bcm.edu/oto/research/cochlea/Volta/04.html