Causes of Blocked Ears

Earwax is produced by glands in the ear canal and serves to protect the eardrum from external agents such as dust and debris that may damage it, and prevent certain bacteria or fungi that cause infection in the ear canal.

The wax is expelled outward by itself. However, when there is an excessive accumulation, this may create that annoying clogged ear sensation, in addition to difficulty hearing clearly and a little pain or discomfort. If you to suffer from these symptoms, it is advisable to consult your doctor to have your earwax removed. It is important to avoid doing this yourself at home in order to avoid infections. It is also important to maintain proper hygiene of the ear.

Another common causes of blocked ears is an otitis media or ear infection, which appears as a result of a cold, flu, allergy, sinusitis, excess mucus, etc. The most common is called otitis media, which occurs when the Eustachian tube becomes blocked and fluid accumulates, leading to infection.

Besides the blockage, the patient may have symptoms such as earache, general malaise, loss of hearing in the affected ear, vomiting, trouble sleeping, among others. In this case, it is essential to check with the doctor to gauge the severity of the infection and start treatment prescribed by a doctor. In some cases, drugs will be necessary.

When we dive under water, in the sea or pool, a little water may enter the ear, which may be difficult to remove. This will cause the blocked feeling in the ears, which can be removed in some cases by simply tilting the head to one side and letting the water drip out. However, in some cases this will not be enough to unblock the ear.

For this reason, it is essential to take precautions when bathing and if you regularly swim, use a high-quality swimming cap and earplugs. It is also important that you dry your ears well after bathing to avoid possible irritation of the ear canal and infections.

When traveling by plane, climbing a mountain or visiting places with higher altitudes, it is normal for the ears to become clogged temporarily. This is the most common cause of ear blockage and is due to a change in atmospheric pressure.

In this case, the best way to unblock the ears is by yawning or moving the jaw sideways to end that uneasy feeling. Another option that may be useful is to chew gum when travelling by air, especially for take-off and landing.

Sudden loud noises can cause ears to become blocked, if the noise is particularly shrill or piercing, although this is not normal. However, if you are continually exposed to loud noises your ear will be subject to extreme pressure repeatedly and might even suffer permanent hearing loss.

If you find yourself in this situation, please consult a specialist who will conduct a review and conduct the appropriate tests.

One of the most severe and serious causes of blocked ears is Meniere's disease. This is an inner ear disorder that alters balance and hearing. Its main symptoms include loss of hearing, ear popping, tinnitus, vertigo and dizziness. There is no definitive cure for this disease, but it is important to get diagnosed by a otolaryngologist and closely follow their instructions regarding proper medication and lifestyle changes that must be implicated.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Causes of Blocked Ears, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.