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What are the treatment options available for relieving pressure in the ears due to fluid behind the ear drum and an ear infection?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I went to my PCP after COVID-19 because I had felt pressure in my ears. He noticed fluid behind my ear drum and an ear infection. How can I drain fluid behind my eardrum? I have a popping and cackling sound and my ears are ringing. I have been on Penicillin and have been using a nasal spray. I cannot take Sudafed because I had a heart ablation for atrial fibrillation two years ago and I do not want to trigger it. Last year I had a bad sinus infection (a deviated septum) and had a CT scan done on my face. Results looked good: Technique: Multidetector-row CT of the sinuses was performed without intravenous contrast using tailored dose modulation techniques. Images were reconstructed in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Findings: 1. Frontal sinuses and frontoethmoidal junctions - clear. 2. Anterior and posterior ethmoid air cells - clear. 3. Maxillary sinuses and infundibula - clear. 4. Sphenoid sinuses and sphenoethmoidal recesses - clear. 5. Nasal cavity - The nasal cavity is clear. Minimal leftward nasal septal deviation. 6. Imaged maxillary teeth - No periapical radiolucencies. 7. Mastoid air cells and middle ear cavities - clear. 8. Temporomandibular joints - No significant degenerative remodeling. 9. Brain - Images of the brain parenchyma are not of the diagnostic quality for the soft tissues. No focal abnormality is visible with this technique. 10. Orbits and globes - No abnormality. 11. Impression - Clear paranasal sinuses at this time. Please help. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda

Education:

DLO

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda is an Otolaryngologist with rich clinical experience in diagnosing and treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. He is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care with a focus on restoring function and improving quality of life. His expertise includes managing sinus diseases, hearing loss, throat conditions, and performing minimally invasive ENT procedures.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern. There are two methods to end the secretions behind your ear drum, a medical way, and a surgical way. The medical way consists of using mucolytic and anti-edematous medications like chymotrypsin for 2 weeks, and nasal decongestant drops twice daily in a supine position for a week. In case of failure of the medical treatment, you should undergo surgical removal by a simple incision in the ear drum, then fluid suction, or by fixing the ventilation tube into the ear drum. First of all, you need tympanometry to prove and confirm the presence of fluids behind the eardrums. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

What else could it be if not fluid? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda

Education:

DLO

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda is an Otolaryngologist with rich clinical experience in diagnosing and treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. He is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care with a focus on restoring function and improving quality of life. His expertise includes managing sinus diseases, hearing loss, throat conditions, and performing minimally invasive ENT procedures.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Ear pressure can result from many causes like fluids behind the drum, eustachian tube dysfunction, middle ear masses, and cochlear nerve weakness. Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At March 30, 2023
Reviewed At May 8, 2026

Education:

DLO

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda is an Otolaryngologist with rich clinical experience in diagnosing and treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. He is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care with a focus on restoring function and improving quality of life. His expertise includes managing sinus diseases, hearing loss, throat conditions, and performing minimally invasive ENT procedures.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Education:

DLO

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda is an Otolaryngologist with rich clinical experience in diagnosing and treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. He is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care with a focus on restoring function and improving quality of life. His expertise includes managing sinus diseases, hearing loss, throat conditions, and performing minimally invasive ENT procedures.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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