Dr. Hibberd
Peter Hibberd, M.D., is a doctor whose advice is based on more than 28 years of hospital outpatient and inpatient experience. He is an experienced emergency medicine physician, surgeon, and consultant. Dr. Hibberd is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is also a fellow and active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, an active member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and a member and fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Hibberd has earned numerous national and international professional certifications, memberships, and awards.
Tags: plugged | ear | doctor | hibberd | tympanometry

How Can I Treat a Chronically Plugged Ear?

Thursday, 11 April 2013 09:53 AM EDT

Question: My left ear is always plugged up and makes a cracking sound. I went to the doctor and had a hearing test done. He said there is nothing wrong. Do you have any thoughts about what might be causing it and what I can do?

Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
Your symptoms sound very much like the external or middle ear has retained fluid. This can be identified by a physical exam with tympanometry, which is used to identify middle ear fluid. Incidentally, it is quite possible to have normal hearing screen results with small amounts of fluid in your middle or external ear.
A complete hearing evaluation by an audiologist may show subtle changes not noted by your doctor's screening test. Request more evaluation or referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to have this investigated further. 


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Dr-Hibberd
Question: My left ear is always plugged up and makes a cracking sound. I went to the doctor and had a hearing test done. He said there is nothing wrong. Do you have any thoughts about what might be causing it and what I can do? Dr. Hibberd s answer: Your symptoms sound very...
plugged,ear,doctor,hibberd,tympanometry
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2013-53-11
Thursday, 11 April 2013 09:53 AM
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