Do my symptoms all tie to an ear infection?

[Clayterbug]

I’m 33 years old, and in good health.  I have not seen any specialists (yet) for any of these conditions.  I like to research things on my own, but plan to make an appointments with an ENT this week.  The ringing/ plugged up ears thing has me worried about permanent hearing loss.  My job is stressful, I work in law enforcement.  I believe that many of these conditions are brought on by, or at least enhanced by stress.

My wife and I are expecting our first child in the next two weeks, and it's time to get some tings checked out. ;-)

Newer conditions:
These two conditions came with a stuffy/ sinus head cold a few weeks back, and stayed with me ever since.  
1. More trouble hearing than before-I used to have excellent hearing.
2. Tinnitus-especially left ear.  High pitched (sometimes two toned) shrill whistle/screech (like a TV or computer makes inside when they’re going bad.)  Sometimes the ears switch, and the right ear rings too-also two toned.  
3. Right ear completely blocked almost every morning-“pops” when I get up; then I can hear out of it again.
*more waxy discharge than normal from right ear (softer-more liquidy than usual too)  

Older conditions:
1. Ears itch a lot inside, for the past several years.  I’ve never had heavy wax from my ears.  Nothing seems to help the itchiness.
2. For some time now I don’t hear as well, but have had no loud noise damage in recent years.

Other older conditions:
1. Partially deviated septum?  I can usually get the air I need through one nostril or the other, but NEVER through both nostrils.  I am short of breath a lot of the time, especially while sleeping.
3a. I have to “hawk and spit” a lot to get rid of congested mucous- especially when I have a cold.  It’s the only way to clear my nasal passages or sinuses.
2. Loss of smell, or at least don’t smell things as well as I used to.
3. Pressure/ stress headaches.  I wear a mouth guard to keep from clenching my teeth at night.
4. Sleep apnea (positional I think.)  I mostly snore when I’m laying on my back, and of course, quit breathing for long periods when on my back.
5. Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers in palate and throat.  Rarely accompanied with canker sores on lips.  Both seem to be brought on by unusually high levels of stress.
6. Back trouble-upper and lower.  Probably not related to the above mentioned conditions, though I have read that upper back alignment can affect the ear drums.
7. Low Serotonin levels (self diagnosed, taking 5-htp)
8. Just a touch ocd. =)
There's my life story, sorry it's so long.  Thank you for any help!!  I've been doing lots of research.

[friggy]

If it's causing ear pressure, then you may want to stop flushing until your ears get better.  It takes a long time for the Eustachian tubes to clear out.  Lay on a bed with the ear up and blow up a balloon to help drain them ( a tip from a doctor), and take some decongestant and Mucinex along with whatever the ENT gives you, unless they conflict.

[Clayterbug]

Hopefully this post will go through.  Thanks so much for the response, I've been doing the shower nasal thing since I read your reply several weeks ago.

My ENT removed a large amount of wax blockage from one ear (the lesser ringing one), the other was good.  The tinnitus got louder in my other ear (the primary ringing ear-the one that wasn't plugged), and has stayed the same for 3 weeks.  The steroid nasal spray he gave me helps me breath easier at night, seems to alleviate the apnea conditions and headaches.  

The flush echnique is great, but causes me immense ear pressure for hours each time I do it.  Feels like it goes straight into my ear canal, sounds & feels a little like swimmers ear.

What's my next best step?

t.y.

Clay

[friggy]

Your ear problems sound like blocked Eustachian tubes.  Go to an ENT, although there's not much to be done except take drugs that lessen the congestion.

One nostril is always more closed than the other, even in healthy people.  Yours is made worse by what sounds like chronic sinusitis.  Try this, after your ear problems clear up:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322

The procedure is risky, because you have to bend over in a shower to defeat gravity, but it will clear out your sinus problems and return your sense of smell.  Make sure you never blow your nose with much force--that's what causes the ear infections.

Some of your other problems may clear up as well, but some may be unrelated, or related to the apnea.  See a doctor about those other ones.