" I feel as though I’m not being taken seriously"

Around Easter last year I had an ear infection I went to see my GP about. After weeks of different medication my doctor said that if the infection and pain had not cleared up by August I should see a consultant at the Epsom Hospital.

In August this referral was followed up. I was given a hearing test and told that I had lost part of my hearing. I am a violinist so my hearing is crucial to me. Learning that I had lost some of my hearing I was a bit hysterical when I next saw my GP and asked if I could have a second opinion.

My GP did arrange a second referral, at which my hearing was tested again and an MRI scan taken, this revealed nothing. On returning home a worker who has come suggested putting olive oil drops in my ear. This forced out a ball of dead skin, probably from eczema, this improved my hearing but it is still not perfect. I still feel as though there is something in my ear which moves around causing my hearing to be better at some times than at others.

During all this time I needed to call the 111 service when the earache was particularly bad and I could not be seen by my GP. I’ve been advised to take pain killers but as the pain can come and go very suddenly they are not always the answer. I feel as though I’m not being taken seriously when I try to explain about the pain and the feeling of something in my ear. It’s coming up to a year now and I’m still getting pain. Now I just keep getting referred back to my GP.