What does it mean when you are getting a cold and can hear a bubble-poping/ running water sound in the ear?

Question

I am getting a cold, but I dont want to go to the doc if I dont have to. Just a little nose blockage, minor sinus pressure/headache, and I can hear a sound in my ear that sounds like running water and bubbles popping. It was really annoying last night trying to sleep, but only noticing it sometimes so far today. The ear is not blocked, I can hear fine. What should I do? Am I getting an ear infection? Also I am 26 weeks pregnant so I can only take certain meds.

Answer 1

Your eustachian tubes are getting clogged up, and you may really have a little fluid in the middle ears. This is not at all uncommon in colds, and rarely leads to otitis media except in preschool children. It makes sense that decongestants would help, but in practice they don't seem to. You may be able to pop your ears and equalize the pressure inside your ear with atmospheric pressure by yawning or chewing gum. If it persists after the nose clears, you'll want your obstetrician to check it out, though there's a really good chance he doesn't have a pneumatic otoscope. And don't Valsalva with the nose-pinch thing. It won't help much and may actually increase the risk of otitis media (that maneuver was once recommended but is now outdated).

Answer 2

The Eustachian tube is possibly blocked.The most common cause for a blocked Eustachian tube is the common cold. Sinus infections and nasal allergies (hay fever, etc.) are also causes. A stuffy nose leads to stuffy ears because the swollen membranes block the opening of the Eustachian tube. You may be able to hear ok at the moment but as your cold progresses,and the fluid builds up,if not cleared, your hearing may suffer.There are also decongestants on the market, but as you are pregnant, check with your pharmacist first.
How To Unblock Your Ears
Swallowing activates the muscle that opens the Eustachian tube.
You swallow more often when you chew gum or let mints melt in your mouth.
Yawning is even better.
If yawning and swallowing are not effective, unblock your ears as follows,this is what my doctor told me to do....................
Step 1: Pinch your nostrils shut.
Step 2: Take a mouthful of air.
Step 3: Using your cheek and throat muscles, force the air into the back of your nose as if you were trying to blow your thumb and fingers off your nostrils.

Answer 3

I had this. I avoided the doc. I got a throat infection first and then the entire nasal septum and the ears got blocked. The doc put in some instrument and could actually see the well formed bubbles. Eventually, they gave me an antibiotic for the throat, but said that the nose and the ears need to clear on their own. He said, lots of inhalations and gargling with hot water is the only way.

So i guess, if it is just congestion, you could try that too.

Answer 4

Sounds like an ear infection to me. I had a bad one when I went down to Florida. I could barely hear anything out of my right ear. When I got back to good old Chicago, I went to see the doctor. They flushed my ear out ( painless ) and this big, nasty clump came out, and it immediately got better. Don't let it go too long, because it is the most annoying thing in the world. Unless you are really tight on cash, it shouldn't be that much to have your ear flushed. I AM NOT A DOCTOR- but in my personal opinion you may be able to buy something like a turkey baster from the store and do it yourself with warm water. Good luck!

Answer 5

Sounds like the beginning of an ear infection! Sorry :-(=

Answer 6

Sinus infection is my guess.