Patients often tell me that their ears feel plugged or clogged. They are looking for solutions to make it go away. There are several potential causes for plugged ears.
- Cerumen impaction – sometimes wax creates a solid plug in the ear canal, preventing sound from passing. DON’T use Q-Tips as they typically worsen the situation by pushing the wax deeper.
- Altitude/Pressure changes, such as when flying or driving in the mountains. Sometimes that sensation remains even after leaving that environment.
- Allergies or Sinus congestion. This can result in swelling of the eustachian tube.
- Middle ear infections can result in fluid in the middle ear, causing plugged sensation and muffled hearing.
- Foreign object in the ear canal.
- Meniere’s disease – an inner ear disorder that can cause fluctuating hearing, tinnitus, dizziness, and fullness or congestion.
- Cochlear Hydrops – a disruption of the balance of electrolytes and fluid in the inner ear.
- Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss can feel like blockage.
- Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) – infection of the outer ear canal.
- Temporomandibular joint disorders can lead to ear fullness and pain.
Depending on the cause of your plugged or clogged ears, there are many different possible solutions. If your plugged ears come from eustachian tube dysfunction, nasal sprays and sinus rinses may be beneficial. Cerumen or foreign object removal could be a solution. The place to start is seeing your physician or audiologist for a visual inspection of your ear canals. Audiologists also have a machine that can test for pressure or fluid behind the eardrum. If you have a sudden hearing loss, it is very important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Call today to schedule an appointment at one of our 8 locations: 800-277-1182. Visit Gardner Audiology to schedule an appointment online. You can also reach us at info@gardneraudiology.com.
