Hello. I m Dr. Christensen. I m sorry you re having problems with your ear. It isn t possible to diagnose your condition without an examination, but it sounds like there s something going on in your throat that has occluded your left Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tubes are conduits leading from your middle ear spaces to the back of your throat, and they re responsible for ventilating the middle ear spaces and equalizing the pressure within these chambers so your eardrums can move normally. If a Eustachian tube gets blocked, your eardrum won t vibrate and your ear will feel plugged. Any number of conditions can lead to Eustachian tube dysfunction, including allergies, sinus infections, viral or bacterial tonsillitis, or masses (tumors, swollen nodes, etc.) in the upper throat. The swelling and tenderness in your throat could be a manifestation of any of these disorders. I suggest you see a doctor for an evaluation. Someone needs to examine your ear (to make sure there s no residual wax plug in the canal), as well as your nasal passages and throat. Until you can see your physician, you might try an over-the-counter antihistamine/decongestant combination, such as chlorpheniramine maleate/phenylephrine. This might help open the occluded Eustachian tube. (Don t take these medications if you have high blood pressure or prostate problems, though.) I hope that helps, and good luck!