Q:

I've been congested for several weeks. Think it's just winter...I go up to Baker Ski Area a lot and once or twice on the way down my ears haven't equalized until hours after I get home. Its actually quite painful.

Last week one didn't equalize at all and it feels like it still hasn't. It feels like my ear is full of fluid and my hearing is cottton-y out of that side.

Infection?

 

A:

Possibly, but more likely a plugged congested eustachian tube with middle ear fluid that can't freely drain into your nose.  Try afrin spray over the counter for three days and see if that relieves it, along with the gentle equalizing procedure (i.e. valsalva maneuver).  We can certainly take a look too to see what things look like with your eardrum.

~The Doc