What could be causing a "cotton ball in the ears" feeling?

[WaitPatientlyOnTheLord]

What could be causing a "cotton ball in the ears" feeling? For the past 3 weeks or so I have been feeling like I have cotton balls in my ears. Sometimes it is accompanied by a ringing in the ears. Its difficult to hear. And when the ringing is happening it is so disorienting I can hardly function. I haven't been able to pinpoint exactly what could be causing it. I suspected seasonal allergies or ear wax at first..... Until I went camping for six days about 2.5 weeks ago. By day two of my camping trip the cotton ball feeling and the ringing in my ears stopped completely. I was so relived, as just before the camping trip it was at its worst. I actually called in to the morning before the camping trip because it was so disorienting I was having a hard time getting ready. It felt like there was a "sonic feedback" in my ears. It was awful. Well, my ears felt normal for whole trip. They stated up again literally within about 3-5 minutes or returning home from my trip. I thought it was a significant coincidence. Well, I had the issue most of last week- to varying degrees just about constantly. Then, this weekend I went camping again and the feeling/sound went away again. It started back within minutes of arriving home. Too much to be a coincidence. The feeling and sound has gotten worse and worse in the hours since Ive been home. It seems like I have to be away from my home for more than 24 hours for the residual muffling and ringing to stop. So it continues when i leave the house to go to work (I work in other family homes) or out to run errands in the community.... So now I am really confused. Im wondering if it could be an allergy to something in our house? Im not sure what though. Our home is reasonably clean and is free of synthetic chemicals and fragrances, since Im so stinking allergic to that stuff. We rent. We live in a duplex. I wondered about EMF sensitivity but AFAIK there havent been any changes to the electrical stuff around here- I dont think weve had any kind of smartmeter added to our apartment. AND, I stopped at a friends house on my way home from camping today and was there for about 5 hours. They have WIFI and electronics and I felt FINE until I got home. :/ Any ideas????

[charla]

I have no idea but I did read that the cotton ball feeling can be indicative of inner ear nerve damage. Have you looked into Meniere's disease? I would definitely encourage you to see your ear, nose and throat doctor, especially with the disorientation. It is really weird about the camping vs. home. I'm sorry you have to deal with all of this.

[MaySunflowers]

Could your jaw position be pinching a nerve?

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[knitlove]

What about mold in your house?

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[SonshineMama]

I'd cover bases w chiropractor (ours does jaws and necks and extremities) and ENT. I would at first suspect wax, second menieres and be concerned abt the jaw as well.

I also wonder abt dislodged chrysalis. But don't know if my ringing cotton feel is from that or the blows to my head.

[MariJo7]

Please check everything above: the nerve pich, Meniere diseas, infection...

But because the feeling disappears when you are away from hme and returns when you are back...that makes me suspect it has something to do with your house. Perhaps you should let someone come over to measure if there are spores of mould or fungus or bacteria in the air.

Have you a lot of stuff in your house from garage sales, such as furniture or blankets? I often get ill at garage sales and I never could work at a recycling shop. Old stuff and clothes can contain spores of mould and they give me a runny nose.

What is growing in your garden? Could there be a tree or a bush that causes you an allergic reaction?

How do seasons affect your ears? Is it better or worse in the summer/winter/spring/fall? Or does it make any difference at all? Does rainy weather make you feel better or worse? If rainy or moist weather makes you feel worse that also points to fungus or mold spores in the air.

Anyhow, sounds like your reaction is caused by a "local" issue. Because you are renting, perhaps the easiest way to get better would be to move to another house.

Oh, and I forgot to mention one more thing: draft! I get sore ears and headache when I get cold draft in my ears! Have you checked the place where you sleep? Do you have a drafty bedroom? Sometimes changing rooms might help.

[WaitPatientlyOnTheLord]

Oh I forgot to update this. So I did see a chiropractor before my first trip she tried to open my eustation tubes. No relief.


Were between insurance companies right now (which is scary, I know) so I cant go see an ENT.

I do think its getting slightly better. Hardly any ringing the last few days.