Hi all looking for any advice or anyone’s experience with this. Five months ago I had the worst head cold I’ve ever had in my life (25F). My ears started making crackling noises when I laid down, and never subsided after the cold. I went to my primary, he gave me steroid nasal spray which helped but he said not to use it long term and if it persists to come back. I waited a few months for it to clear on its own, it did not. I’m fine during the day, but at night they’re constantly popping and crackling. So I went back and got an ENT referral. Went to the ENT, and he looked me dead in my face and said “just live with it”. He said tubes was only a temporary solution if one at all, and he doesn’t recommend the ballon dilation procedure for my case. I mentioned I was flying in a few weeks, and he just said buy affrin nasal spray and use 30 minutes before flight. Someone please help! I am so scared to fly risking hearing loss or being in pain during my trip. I’ve tried everything, the decongestants, the humidifier, the plugging and blowing method, which has most recently stopped working in my left ear so I can’t find relief on the left anymore. And tips/ advice/ suggestions/ or flying experiences with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Forgot to mention: I don’t have any other symptoms as of now such as tinnitus or dizziness. Just crackling at night and ear fullness during the day. Like they’re clogged and can’t hear 100%.