As pressure builds up it can result in blocked ears, pain and hearing problems. Although blocked ears are common, if they are ongoing for a long period of time or the symptoms are severe then medical help may be necessary. Frequently experiencing blocked ears is a sign that you need to be cautious.
A few days is usually enough time for your body to get rid of any blockage. But the general rule of thumb is that if things persist for more than a week or so, it may be a wise idea to come in for a consultation. That sensation of feeling like your ears are blocked can also be an indication of hearing loss.
But if symptoms linger for several weeks and are left untreated, it could lead to serious health problems, such as hearing loss, tinnitus or damage to your eardrum and middle ear. If you notice that symptoms don't go away on their own in a week or two, it's important to schedule a visit with your healthcare provider.
The culprit could be anything from earwax or fluid build-up, to allergies, sinus infections or changes in air pressure. 12 There's a good chance that clogged ears clear up by themselves within hours or days, but it depends on what's causing the blockage.
When the ears are clogged, it can cause pain and discomfort and affect hearing and balance. Call your ENT doctor if you experience severe symptoms with clogged ears, or if symptoms persist for more than two weeks.
If your “blocked ear” is lasting longer than it should, you need to have it examined. Air pressure changes: On occasion, your Eustachian tube can fail to adjust properly to changes in air pressure, creating the feeling of a temporary blockage in one or both ears.
There are a number of conditions that can cause a blocked feeling in your ears, including fluid in the ear, excess earwax, and congestion. Some problems like sinusitis and tonsillitis may require treatment by a healthcare provider.
Ongoing blocked ears will need treatment. For most people, blocked ears are a temporary condition that will clear up when the pressure in the ears returns to normal. However, if this doesn't happen a visit to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) professional may be helpful.
Typically, clogged ears will ease up within a few days. If you have a head cold, COVID-19, or allergies, symptoms may last a little longer. But if clogged ears continue beyond a few weeks, it may be time to see a healthcare professional about your treatment options.
Clogged ears can also result from swollen or blocked eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. This can happen for brief periods during air travel, but also due to allergies, sinus or ear infections, or other respiratory viruses (including COVID-19).
Frequently people report having had a cold that got better, but left them with a blocked ear (or ears). It usually gets better in a week or two, but can last for months afterwards. Swellings at the back of the nose (the nasopharynx) can cause the Eustachian tubes to become blocked.
Sleep position
Rest with your head on two or more pillows, so your affected ear is higher than the rest of your body. Or if your left ear has an infection, sleep on your right side. Less pressure equals less ear pain. It could be effective, though a few inches may not make a big difference in pressure measurement.
Lie on your side or tilt your head so the affected ear is facing upward. Put several drops of the solution into your affected ear. Stay in this position for five to 15 minutes to allow the drops to work.
If you're an adult with a middle ear infection, elevating the affected ear makes it easier for the infection to drain out. So, sleep on your other side or tuck a few extra pillows under your head if sleeping on your back. If you have an outer ear infection, keep blankets and hair away from your ear.
To do this, just gently massage the outside of the ear using circular movements. That way, the impaction will soften, which can help the earwax drain more easily. Once you've finished making these circular movements, pull your ear slightly backwards, from the lobe to the top of the auricle.
Your health care provider can remove excess wax by using a small, curved tool called a curet or by using suction techniques. Your provider can also flush out the wax using a syringe filled with warm water and saline or diluted hydrogen peroxide.
These techniques can passively help open the eustachian tubes that are in the ear and reduce feelings of fullness or clogging. Examples of passive techniques include: drinking water. chewing gum.
Ear irrigation can be done at home with the help of a kit. Do it for twice or thrice in a day as per the instructions given in the kit. Once the wax softens, flush it with the syringe filled with mild warm water and flush out the wax.
If your ears are full of wax, they can often feel clogged.
Gural-Toth. “However, if it doesn't come out in a day or two, seek medical attention so a health care provider can remove it safely.” Dr. Gural-Toth says that you should never attempt to remove ear wax using a Q-tip.
Ear drainage can occur for several reasons, including an ear infection, a ruptured eardrum, or an ear tube that causes fluid to drain. Ear discharge can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, especially if it occurs after a recent head injury.
Blocked eustachian tubes
The most common cause of a blocked eustachian tube is a stuffy nose, such as from a head cold or sinus infection. When the nose is stuffed or clogged, it can prevent the eustachian tubes from draining or filling with air properly.
People can often treat ear congestion with home remedies and OTC medications. However, a person may want to speak with a doctor about their ear congestion if: their symptoms persist despite using at-home or OTC treatments. they develop a fever.