Why Does My Ear Feel Clogged? Causes and What to Do: You know that feeling when your ear just feels... full? Like it's plugged up with cotton? Along with being irritating, it also makes you feel quite uncomfortable and frustrated. You know the fullness, the pressure, the muffled hearing, whether it's during a flight, after swimming or for no apparent reason. So, what's causing it, and more importantly, how would you get rid of this uncomfortable sensation so that you can find relief?
In this article, we will explore the common causes of ear blockage while outlining to guide you when you should seek medical help or consult a doctor and suggest safe treatment options.
Causes
From building up of simple wax to several different conditions and medical issues due to a blocked ear, sometimes may need your attention. Let's explore the leading causes:
1. Earwax Buildup
Sometimes, your ear makes too much wax. This wax can get hard and block your ear and so you might have a problem with hearing as it makes it hard to hear and your ear feels full. To fix it, doctors use a special way so that they can clean it out safely which is usually done with a gentle suction device or irrigation to extract the blockage. They don't use cotton swabs as it can push the wax deeper and cause damage instead they use suction or water without hurting you. So, it's the safest way to go and consult a doctor if you're having any pain or hearing issues because they know how to take care of the blockage property.
2. Fluid in the Ear
The sloshing, muffled feeling in your ear after being in water? That's probably fluid trapped inside. Sometimes it's due to the water that gets in there during swimming or taking a bath while other times, it might be fluid from an ear infection that creates a sensation of fullness or discomfort which is referred to as—swimmer's ear.
Signs to pay attention to:
- You feel a constant wet or moving sensation in your ear.
- Sounds being dull or hard to hear.
- You have any pain or itching in your ear.
Gently tilting your head to the side or using ear drops can help you in such a situation but don't try to stick anything in your ear to get the water out. However, if it's just water this might help otherwise if it doesn't go away and starts worsening......see a doctor so that you can make sure it's not an infection.
3. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Do you know that there's a tube that connects your ear to your throat and sometimes it can be blocked from cold or allergies that makes your ear feel full making you feel a little dizzy? This can be due to Eustachian tube dysfunction, this tube is very small and through this sound travels which when gets blocked you can hear a muffled sound.
However it usually goes away and you can try things like chewing gum, pinching your nose while gently blowing it and if it doesn't improve in a few days, or if you're experiencing severe pain, see a doctor. Home remedies aren't always safe. Also, don't use ear candles because they're dangerous and ineffective and its symptoms may include tinnitus and mild vertigo.
Do’s and Don’t:
| DO’S | DON’T |
|---|---|
| 1. Move your jaw: By yawning or
chewing.
2. Use nasal spray: If your nose is blocked. 3. Apply a warm cloth: To help with pressure. 4. Use ear drops: If it's wax and your eardrum is okay. |
1. Putting things in your ear: Do not
use cotton swabs, pins, or other
sharp materials.
2. Ear candles: They are dangerous. 3. Instead of ignoring it, consult a doctor: If it hurts or you can't hear, see a doctor. |
Microsuction
Microsuction is generally a comfortable procedure. It's suitable for almost everyone, including those with previous ear problems. The procedure is also relatively quiet, unlike the loud noise of ear syringing. The doctor has good visibility of the ear canal, so they can remove all of the ear wax. You'll leave the clinic with cleaner ears and improved hearing.
The procedure is designed for speed and efficiency so that the patient can get a greater sense of control and comfort, as there is less pressure and less sensation of liquid filling the ear. This clear view allows for the removal of not just earwax, but also other debris or foreign objects.
What happens during ear microsuction:
- Doctor looks in your ear.
- Doctor uses a small tube.
- Tube goes in your ear.
- Machine sucks out wax.
- Doctor looks again.
- Tube comes out, you're done.
When to See a Doctor
Clogged or plugged up ear for many days, plus pain or hearing problems? These things together mean something might be wrong. A doctor can check your ear and help you get better quickly. They quickly suggest microsuction if it's due to wax buildup, lots of people just search "EarSuction Near me" to find a local clinic that can help them. Don't wait around feeling uncomfortable, instead, get it checked and cleared so that you can get back to hearing clearly.
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