I'm not actually TRYING to be anti-social

[wendyzski]

It's been about a week off the antibiotics, and whil my ear isn't actually ringing any more I do have some (hopefully temporary) hearing loss in that ear. I like to listen to the radio before going to sleep, and I am most comfy on my side. If I roll over so that my "bad" ear is on top, I have to turn up the radio. I also have trouble in group conversation. One on one is fine, but I have a little trouble following group conversations and need to turn my head a lot.

It goes in and out during the day, and gets better when i blow my nose so I'm pretty sure it's lingering fluid and pressure combined with inflammation and slow-healing damage. I'm really trying very hard not to panic about this, but there is that nagging little thought of "what if it's permanent?". So I've not been much for group socializing of late - Lots of quite time with books is the most comfortable right now, as I'm not reminded about it all the time.

It's been a quiet week at work - which is why I was able to post about amazonfail and my new projects. COMB was in Phoenix most of the week, and I got a lot done but it was a lot of busywork, which left me plenty of time for blogging and lolcats.

Wrote and distributed the condo association newsletter and budget tonight. Mailed them to the non-residents and knocked on doors with the rest. Got a chance to introduce myself to some people, listen to some complaints (nothing that I hadn't already made myself of course), explain about the water heater and the new management company. I met with one possible contractor about the concrete in the back courtyard. I've been explaining it to bidders as "We've got a bad case of 'oh, my brother-in-law can fix that' going on", and they pretty much all understand.

Weekend will hopefully see more progress on the SteamOutfit and props (enough that I can put away the ironing board, at least), finish putting out the deck railing windowboxes, and if I get really ambitious I may put in my bedroom ceiling fan one of these days. Also dentist visit - had to find a new one because of a switch in insurance plans.

Comments

[duane-kc.livejournal.com]

Keep drinking [EDIT] *hot* tea and chewing the cheapest bubblegum you can find. (Not at the same time, mind you.) You've probably got a plugged Eustacian tube with a partial vacuum behind it; the tea will help melt the plug, and chewing will move the tube and help dislodge it. It's *very* unlikely you've got any permanent damage from an ear infection.

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

I *know* this in my head, but not in my gut at 3Am when I can't hear something.

As a trained singer I can actually (usually) pop my ears at will because you actually use those throat and palate muscles - which is why this is so weird, as it has never happened before.

[duane-kc.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know how scary this can be. My ear problems started really early and peaked when I was 8.

The plug is probably at the top of the ear canal, rather than the bottom, if you can't pop it. Heat will help a lot; you can try putting a washcloth with hot water in a plastic bag, then wrapping that in a tea towel for localized heat. (See; I remembered your bunny ate your heat pad!)

[katexxxxxx.livejournal.com]

Himself suffers from tinitis, so will sympathize utterly. I have a lazy Eustachian tube (never clears on its own - I have to hold me nose and blow!), and that can cause similar problems. Also makes one side of my head feel heavy, and my ear hurts. This usually happens when my nose is blocked due to chronic rhinitis flaring up...

I think I need a new head. Or to call Dinarod! ;)

Hope it gets better soon.

[markellynch.livejournal.com]

Decongestants are your friend, it will clear the congestion in your sinuses and ears. It will also help finish off whatever infection may still be there. Personally, I'd call the doctor for another round of antibiotics because it sounds like the infection isn't dead yet.
If you like herbl alternative to OTCs, ginger root tea. Cut about a half inch square of ginger root, drop in the kettle and bring it to a boil. It's great natural decongestant and it kind of sweet so taste before adding any sugar.
Hugs-
Kell

[petmoosie.livejournal.com]

Sorry that you are still feeling bad. I agree with the very hot tea suggestion to melt/shift stuff in your ear.

[sciffy-circo.livejournal.com]

My kids got ear infections all the time, and I have to wonder if they inherited that from me. A few years ago, my ears would start ringing for no apparent reason, and it wouldn't go away for days. Now, it won't go away for weeks, sometimes, and I find it quite irritating! I don't want to wear headphones or turn the radio up, or turn my cell phone volume up, or ask people to repeat themselves.

Actually, that part is the most annoying. I KNOW that somebody said something; it just sounds like the Charlie Brown teacher to me. I can't make out the words. I'm certain I'm not hearing certain frequencies either, like microwaves going "ding", certain computer sounds, and the phone ringing sounds different. Every time the ringing comes, it seems to take longer to clear up. I keep wondering how permanent it will be. Every time it finally clears up, I seem to get the damned ringing again 2-4 weeks later.

Get my hearing checked? What good will that do? I already know it's messed up. Do I really need to know HOW messed up, or be told how much it would cost me to even begin work on it? I've got no insurance.

No, I'm not going to audition for the military guilde at ren faire again. I've definately spent too much time around cannons, flintlocks, and that sort of thing. No, Brice's loud voice doesn't help either...

I've heard that ringing can be caused by allergies, and I have been coughing and itching, but I kinda doubt that's the problem. Meanwhile, other than city traffic, I'm stumped on what keeps causing it. I keep the radio and everything else at a moderate volume, and I haven't been to any concerts recently.

[starstraf.livejournal.com]

I have a very hard time diferentiating voices if more then one person is taking - like a restaurant or a party - so I lip read a lot. People think I am very attentive cause I look right at them.