No one answered your original question. Normal "soft tissue" feels consistently soft and squishy, including organs. That's why doctors do palpation exams during physicals and H&N (or ENT's) palpate the neck region. Masses are typically denser and feeling of fullness 0r firmness (or, simply, a lump). Additionally cancerous lymph nodes will feel almond shaped. Of course an infection will also cause lymph nodes to swell and feel "full". It is always wise to have these types of things checked out immediately.

Inner ear infections (fluid buildup and pain) are pretty common with surgery and/or radiation. I still get them just about annually. A week of Prednisone and I'm good to go. They can visualize the fluid buildup simply with an otoscope.