My Ear

I still remember my first ear infection happened about 2 years ago when I was still working in KL. I went to SJMC to get it fixed by a mid-aged doctor, whom I think is a good one because he knew that I had a similar infection during my childhood. He explained properly what is wrong with my ear, about how abnormal my eardrum look like (slightly pushed down or retracted) and about a possible infection in future. (This cost me almost RM 300)

After that, I had a slight hearing loss due to flu. But after fully recovered, I still experienced slight block in my left ear. I went back to the same doctor, and he suggested me to perform audiology test. The test came out to be OK.. just a mild hearing loss. He checked my ear, and both was in a good condition. Of course my ear drum still stay the same lah (Retracted). (This cost me RM 200++)

Then the third infection happened when I was in Penang. My friend (Frankie) suggested me to go to Lam Wah Ee Hospital but I end up went to Pantai Hospital. (My reason was because I have no confident with with Lam Wah Ee). This is just my personal opinion though. If you asked me why I have no confidence, I will say it because of the webpage and the hospital name itself which is not appealing. So, I linked them to their expertise. haha... I know I made a poor judgement and unfair, but that is how I look at things at the first place. I hope nobody will come after to sue me. You can think which one is better for you... The choice is all yours.

Back to Pantai Hospital, the ENT consultant mentioned about my blocked ear was due to excessive wax. There was no infection at all. Just waxes. I asked her (even though I knew it) why such thing can happened? She said I had an abnormal ear drum. My ear will easily collecting dirt and the same problem might happen again in future. I told her that when I blow my nose, sometimes I can feel an air flow coming out of my ear. I think she laughed. So, I left and it feels better except the buzzing sound (Tinnitus) still continues. But it happened once in a while only. (This cost me around RM150)

Then the problem came up again right after the Penang Bridge Marathon last year. I guess the water had got into my ears and stuck in there as it was raining heavily during the marathon. It started to produce foul-smell and slight pain around my neck area and head. I thought that it must be due to excessive wax and infection. I almost sure. Then I went to see the ENT in Damai Specialist, KK.

The consultant was not friendly. He asked me to turn my chair left and right to get my ear checked. After that he asked me to lie down and use his 'table light' to check my ear (It looks like a reading light though so dont blame me). What the heck, I thought they should have their special chair to perform the procedures. What is the purpose of paying so damn expensive if they don't have the best equipment at hand? I told him my problematic ear is at the left side and could be due to excessive wax... He said, ohh well, ur right ear even worse!

I try to share with him my past experience with other ENTs and what the problem might be alike... and he was giving me a smile like "Oh really? dont bluff me u r not a doctor".... then straight away asking me to perform audiology check after he cleans up the waxes. I asked him whether any sign of infection or not, and he said no.... he was very sure of his own opinion and not asking me what had I feel about it? The pain and foul-smell was still there when I left the clinic. (This has cost me RM 140)

I went for the audiology test and as I expected, the result shows that I have a mild hearing lost. So, thank you for wasting my RM50 to do this test. So, I started to think that this ENT was wrong about me. So I wanted a second opinion. I went to the other ENT consultant at SMC a few days later.

This ENT seems good. He talked a lot, gave good information about what have went wrong. Checked and snap a photo to compare my ear drum with a normal one. Checked my Eustachian tube which he concluded to be ok. He advised me that I should do regular check up to prevent the problem from happening again. He said my condition now does not require operation. It's called Adhesive Otitis Media with retraction pocket and told me that this could lead to Cholesteatoma which will definitly need a surgery if not being taking care off well.

I told him that my ear is still painful and somehow have yellow discharge especially early in the morning. He said, "Oh it might be due to flu just continue the flu medication you are having right now. There was no discharge". I am relieved but still puzzled why my ear was still painful. But, I just wana live with it since these two ENTs already confirmed that nothing serious with my ear. I took my own effort to buy an antibiotic eardrop and put it inside my ear. Surprisingly, the foul-smelly thing has gone. (They charge me RM 220)

After arriving in Singapore, my flu has completely recovered. But then I still feel slight discomfort of my ear and the yellow discharge still continues especially every morning. So last Thursday I went to see my company doctor and he said there is a chronic infection in my ear and referred me to the ENT at Tan Tock Seng medical center and locked the appointment date on Thursday this week. 

Then the worst part came. While enjoying weekend drink with my wife, suddenly there was a sharp pain followed by blood discharge from my left ear. I was really shocked by this and wondered what exactly happened inside my ear. The pain continued until midnight until I can't bear it anymore, I went to the nearby clinic around 1245am. I asked the doctor to refer me to the A&E (Accident & Emergency) immediately but according to him the ENT will only available on Monday. So he released a memo to put my appointment ahead on Monday. Instead of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, I decided to go to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. (Dunno why the name is very confusing) since its nearer to the place I stayed. (This cost me SGD 112) + A&E registration of SGD80.

So today, I was at KTP hospital. I requested for a senior consultant but since I didnt make any appointment, they assigned me to any doctor available. I ended up having this young associate consultant which I have doubt whether he knows what he is doing or not. As usual, he asked if I got any drug allergy or not,bla bla bla... then he clean up the waxes and blood. But he never said anything where the blood come from. He just mentioned that it was just an infection and put some antibiotic inside my ear.. He didn't even mention about my abnormal ear drum. I am questioning myself again n again... did he really knows what he is doing? I paid another SDG 100++ for this and being asked to come back in 2 weeks time for follow up checking.

I am not sure how long this problem will continue, but I am tired of seeking ENT for the same problem over and over again.... see what happen in 2 weeks time.