What to do if your ear is blocked

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

How to determine what caused it to be hard to hear and when to run to the doctor.

What does congestion in the ears say?

The eardrum, a thin membrane that separates the external auditory canal from the middle ear, is responsible for capturing sound. Sound waves make it vibrate. With the help of a malleus and other ossicles located in the middle ear, the membrane transmits vibration to the cochlea, a complex organ of the inner ear. In turn, the cochlea converts mechanical vibrations into electrical signals that travel to the brain via the auditory nerve. This is how we hear.

A feeling of congestion occurs when something prevents the eardrum from vibrating. Various factors can lead to this.

Why does ears clog?

Here are some common reasons By the way, doctor: Plugged-up feeling in an ear.

1. Foreign object in the ear … Sometimes a small element (it can be cotton wool from a cosmetic stick, dirt, a part from a child's toy) blocks the external auditory canal. As a result, the sound vibrations simply do not reach the eardrum or are weakened.
2. Water in the ear … This is the same foreign object, only liquid. It is possible to assume that water got into the ear if the feeling of congestion arose immediately after bathing.
3. Sulfur plug … Earwax protects Earwax blockage against infections and impurities. But sometimes too much of it is produced. It accumulates in the ear canal and blocks it, preventing sound vibrations from reaching the eardrum. By the way, sulfur absorbs moisture well and swells, so a plug often occurs after water procedures.
4. Ear canal infections (otitis externa) … They are often caused by water in the ear: bacteria multiply rapidly in a humid environment. That is why the second name of Swimmer’s ear is Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic otitis externa - “swimmer's ear”. However, the infection can penetrate into the ear canal and through the wounds that appear, for example, when cleaning the ears with a finger or a cotton swab. Otitis media is accompanied by edema, the ear canal narrows, and it becomes more difficult for sound waves to reach the eardrum.
5. Pressure drops … If the pressure is greater inside the ear than outside, or vice versa, the eardrum bulges. In this tense state, it is difficult for her to vibrate. Differential pressure occurs during landing or takeoff of an aircraft, rapid climb (for example, in an elevator or in the mountains), scuba diving. As soon as the pressure inside and outside the ear is equalized, the congestion disappears.
6. Runny nose … The pressure in the ears is equalized using the so-called Eustachian tube, the cavity that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. With an allergic or cold rhinitis, the Eustachian tube becomes clogged with mucus. Because of this, it becomes difficult to equalize the pressure, and the ears become clogged even with changes in the weather.
7. Middle ear inflammation (otitis media) … The most common cause of otitis media is ENT diseases: tonsillitis, sinusitis, ARVI, including influenza. In such cases, infections from the nasopharynx through the Eustachian tube rise to the middle ear. Inflammation can also affect the eardrum: it swells and is less sensitive to sound vibrations.

Actions depend on the causes of the congestion, because otitis media and water that has got into the ear are completely different situations.

What to do if there is a foreign object in your ear

The ear has such a structure that it is dangerous to try to get something out of it on your own. Poking around with a cotton swab in your ear canal can accidentally damage your eardrum. And this is fraught with even deafness. Therefore, put the stick aside and go to the otolaryngologist as soon as possible. In the end, a visit to the doctor will take less time than trying to get something that does not roll out by itself.

What to do if your ear is blocked after swimming

As a rule, water from the ear flows out of its own accord or dries out over time without causing any inconvenience. Try to speed up the 12 Ways to Get Water Out of Your Ear process:

1. Just place your ear on the pillow with a towel underneath and wait. Water can flow out due to gravity.
2. Pull your earlobe several times while tilting your head toward your shoulder. This manipulation will slightly widen the ear canal and allow the fluid to drain.
3. Create an impromptu vacuum pump. Place the palm of your hand on your ear and press and release several times.
4. Try blow drying your ear. To do this, set a warm (not hot) mode and turn on the minimum blowing speed. Hold the hair dryer about 30 cm from your ear and slide it back and forth. At the same time, pull the earlobe with your free hand.

Usually, water in the ear does not lead to serious consequences. But it is worth remembering that moisture is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria. If the feeling of congestion does not go away after 2-3 days, and even more so if pain has been added to it, contact a therapist or ENT as soon as possible.

What to do if your ear is blocked due to sulfur plug

We cannot establish with certainty that the cork is to blame for the congestion, unless there is an otoscope at home. With this device, the Earwax Blockage is examined. Diagnosis and Treatment of the ears. Therefore, if you suspect a sulfur plug, you should see an otolaryngologist. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and quickly remove the wax.

Most often, the ear is washed: warm water is drawn into a large-volume syringe without a needle. The patient sits up straight and holds a container where the liquid will drain. A syringe is inserted into the ear and a stream of water is directed along the rear upper wall of the ear canal, which washes out the cork.

If a person has a perforated eardrum after any illness (that is, there is a hole in it), the ear is not washed and, moreover, nothing is buried in it. In this case, the cork is removed with a special probe with a hook.

If you have sulfur buildup on a regular basis, your doctor will tell you how to get rid of it at home. For example, he may recommend over-the-counter drops that help soften and remove wax. Or he will advise you to bury hydrogen peroxide (3%), glycerin or baby oil in your ear. You will most likely have to repeat this process several times before the cork begins to dissolve and fall out.

Please note: home remedies can only be used after the recommendation of a doctor who will unequivocally establish that you have no contraindications to them.

What to do if your ear is blocked due to illness

Ear Infection has characteristic features. Most often it is a severe shooting pain and fever. You can also assume that the disease is to blame for the congestion when you observe the symptoms of a cold: sore throat, runny nose.

In this case, you need to see a doctor. The otolaryngologist will make an accurate diagnosis, determine which microbes or viruses attacked you, and prescribe the most effective treatment.

For bacterial infections, you will be prescribed antibiotics. In addition, a physician will advise on how to relieve pain. For example, recommend suitable pain relievers, nasal drops, or antihistamines to help reduce swelling. The same symptomatic treatment will be prescribed for ear congestion caused by viruses or allergies.

And do not try to self-medicate: with otitis media, it is simply dangerous. Home remedies may not work, which means you are allowing the infection to spread. Getting rid of it will become much more difficult.

Never warm up your ears if you suspect an infection. This can lead to rupture of the eardrum and even deafness.

What to do if your ear is blocked after a flight or elevator

Usually, this congestion quickly goes away by itself. But the most competent thing is to prevent it. Moreover, it's easy. Here are some Airplane Ear methods that work.

1. During takeoff and landing, chew gum or hold a lollipop in your mouth. If nothing is close at hand, try yawning as wide as possible or rinsing your mouth with water. The movement of the jaw forces the muscles that open the Eustachian tube to work. Air enters it, and the pressure is equalized.
2. For half an hour or an hour before takeoff and landing, drip vasoconstrictor drugs into the nose. They will help prevent swelling and a decrease in the diameter of the Eustachian tube.
3. Try not to fly if you have a runny nose, nasal congestion and otitis media. If you recently had ear surgery, check with your doctor when it will be safe to travel again.
4. Use special airplane earplugs. These are liners that allow you to slowly equalize the pressure on the eardrum during takeoff and landing.

If your ear is still blocked and you cannot get rid of this unpleasant sensation, try to squeeze the wings of the nose, as if you are going to blow your nose, and exhale slowly. This manipulation is called the Valsalva Maneuver Earwax Blockage. Diagnosis and Treatment. Please note: it should not be used for ear infections, so as not to make it worse.

Be sure to consult an otolaryngologist as soon as possible if, after the flight:

• severe pain lasts longer than a few hours;
• you hear many hours of ringing or tinnitus;
• there is constant dizziness, especially if it is so strong that it causes nausea and vomiting;
• blood flows out of the ear.

These may be symptoms of barotrauma (pressure damage). In order not to risk hearing, it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and, if necessary, begin treatment.