Two days ago I took a shower, cleaned my ears with a cotton swab, then went to bed. The next morning I woke up with a slight ringing in my ear and sound was muffled. I went through the day and couldn't hear very well in the morning with hearing gradually getting better through the day. This morning I woke up and my hearing wasn't back to normal, but it was fine until I took a shower. I got some water in my ear and now my hearing is worse than it was yesterday morning. At first I though that I ruptured an ear drum with the cotton swab, but I never felt any pain (I know you're not supposed to use cotton swabs, but I made a poor choice) My doctor has told me before that I had a lot of wax build up in my ear. Does anybody have any idea what is going on? I try to clear my ear, because that is what it feels like I need to do, but no worky. The only pain I have is when I hiccup, that seems to hurt a little. Thanks

It is very likely from the wax build up. It is probably trapping the water, it sounds like you might have a minor ear infection. They have ear cleaning kits, but I would suggest going to the doctor first, only because if the wax has hardened it is usually removed by someone in the medical field.

Furthermore, protect your ears. By some ear plugs, use them for mowing etc. It does sound like you have done damage to your ears.

I have the same problem and I'm only 16 :( It happened to me about a year ago, and I was deaf in my left ear for about four months... and I kind of got used to it. Then suddenly it popped and all the sound was amplified. But now it's happened again after I had a bath and I'm putting a few drops of warm olive oil down my ear.. it's supposed to soften the wax and so it'll clear it up. I know how irritating this can be and sometimes it's really upsetting too. I wouldn't recommend a syringe because my mum had it done when she was younger and she regretted it, because she always hears a ringing noise. Let it heal naturally.