Hello doctor, I have flown very often in the last few years. I forgot to wear earplugs and slept on a few flights recently. On the last two trips, I had multiple flights connecting. I noticed my ears did not stop popping after a few days. Since my last flight, my right ear has not cleared up. It used to be at night my ear would pop and get better during the day. Now my right ear has lost hearing, I would estimate about 50% and fluctuates between 50% to 75% during the day. When it is totally silent, I think I hear this tone in my right ear. I do not have headaches and can sleep fine. I have gingivitis and bleeding gums, and no other health issues. I was wondering if my ear is infected or not. I know whatever I have is connected to my frequent flying every two months for the last five years. I always wore earplugs and never had this before but forgot the last trip. Should I take antibiotic drops? I definitely have mucus in my sinus and I am not sneezing or coughing in any major way just and not sure if I am infected or not. Would antibiotic drops help me rule out infection?
Hello. Simply it is a eustachian tube dysfunction. Ear infection which needs an antibiotic must be accompanied by ear pain. Ear  ChatDoctor.  I think that you need an anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory like Alphintern tablets or Reparil tablets three times daily for a week plus corticosteroid tablets in the dose of 1 mg for each 1 kg of your body weight daily. For example, if you are 70 kg you need 70 mg of corticosteroid per day for 10 days.The most popular corticosteroid is called Prednisone tablets. Chewing gum will be useful for you. 