Question: Hello: I am a 59 year old Medical Technologist. When I was approximately 30; I noticed a hearing decrease in my right ear. My family doctor had a look and told me it was simply a matter of removing some ear wax. Not knowing any better (and trusting my doctor), I allowed him to place a metal retractor-type instrument into my ear to remove the wax. I can still remember how much it hurt as he pulled it out (with a significant amount of wax). Within a day; my ear felt like it was "clogging" up and hearing was much worse. I put up with this for about a week before deciding to take matters into my own hands (no longer trusting my doctor). Brought home a 60cc catheter-tip syringe from the hospital and began "syringing" water as hard as I could push it into my ear while in the shower. After 2 or 3 blasts of water, a large blood clot flew out and my hearing was back to normal. Obviously, my doctor had "nicked" something to cause so much bleeding. Never went back to this G.P. again! Fast forward. I've noticed through the years that this same ear seems to retain water (after baths/showers/swimming) even though my other ear does not. My hearing seems to be fine but the crackling/popping sounds from this ear and the feeling (don't laugh too hard) that there is a wet sponge inside my ear when I press on the outer flap (sorry, don,t know the anatomical term) has gotten worse over the past few years. I went to see my current family doctor who had a look into my ear with a proper instrument and stated she could see nothing of concern. Any thoughts? Should I push for a referral to a local ENT physician? Any advice you could offer would be much appreciated! Thanks for your time! XXXXXXX