This is particularly bothersome because I'm out of work, need to
interview for jobs, but can't because my hearing is so impaired.

Had a history of left ear infections. Usually wound up taking an
antibiotic which - along with some pretty good yawns - cleared
everything up and brought my hearing back. About a decade ago, after
going thru the antibiotic thing a number of times, the doctor suggested
we knock off the use of the antibiotics and have an itsy bitsy tiny
little tube put in the ear so it could drain. That solved the problem
for a long time. (What is that procedure called?)

After a long, long time of no problems, a couple of weeks ago the left
ear plugged up again (the little tube that was inserted fell out a few
years back). The right ear is also tending to stuff up (if I tilt my
head I can 'sense' some kind of shift of liquid?)

Doctor gave me penicillium (penicillium at my behest: as I recall
that's what we used years ago and it worked). Took that for a week
and the ear was still stuffed up. Went back to see the doctor but mine
wasn't available so saw the one that was shunted to me: a
pediatrician. She said the infection had cleared up and that the
stuffed up ear was probably due to an allergy of some kind.

I know that determining (well, I assume) what is causing the allergy
can take a long time. Problem is I am out of a job, must ( ! ) find one
soon, and it is hard as hell to interview, especially since I'm a
customer service person: if I can't hear the interviewer, let alone a
customer . . .

She (the pediatrician) gave me a prescription for Nasonex (bloody
expensive, especially when you don't have any medical insurance).
Three days and I don't note any improvement.

Is there anything else I can do to accelerate the clearing up of this
[ these ] ears ?? !!

And if anyone in San Diego knows of an otolaryngologist that will put
tubes in pro bono, PLEASE let me know.

Christopher A. Steele