Hey guys, I've been playing badminton for quite a few years, but recently have been getting some strange feelings in my ear! In the middle of a match of singles, my ear will randomly start feeling blocked and I am unable to hear clearly through my left ear. So far I only feel like this when Im seriously pushing myself while playing. Any ideas which will help? Many thanks, Xaujin
Hopefully it's nothing serious. But honestly, when you have an unexplained phenomenom which could be neurological, vascular or otolaryngological (I had to put that one in) you've got to SEE somebody. Britain's National Health Service is quite nice, despite the press it gets. Use it.
Try Valsalva Maneuvre if it occurred again. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valsalva_maneuver But if you're in pain, by all means please see a doctor.
Thanks for all the help guys, it's not really a severe pain, more of just a blocking sound. It's just been happening recently only when I play badminton (which is the sport I play most!) Booking an appoint to see my GP later today....thanks for the advice!
It's probably just a build up of earwax that is not draining properly, sometimes when you get the cold or a flu, the Eustachian tubes stay clogged up which often leads to something called "glue ear". Would be interesting to see what your GP discovered!
I've had this on occasions aswell, I've put it down to nothing more than sweat getting in to the ear and temporarily blocking it, as you said - happens more when you are 'really' pushing yourself physically, which would make sense as that it when you'll be sweating the most.