fbpx
 

GeneralAre You Having Trouble Hearing Due to a Blocked Ear?

Symptoms of a blocked ear is a common ENT malady presented at ENT clinics in Singapore. Having a blocked ear can be annoying as well as troublesome for individuals. This brings discomfort to normal daily routines. It’s common for people with a blocked ear to complain of popping and crackling noises in their ears, which is due to the Eustachian tubes trying to clear up. Blocked ears can be a cause for temporary shortness of hearing. Intermittent blocked ear sensation could be a function of nasal allergies or sinusitis which may be due to a recent respiratory tract infection. This would have a negative impact on the pressure levels of the Eustachian tube causing a blocked sensation. The Eustachian tube generally remains closed, except when involved with activities like speaking and swallowing. Antihistamines and nasal sprays could help to relieve this condition, else a balloon dilation may be needed at times.

Dr. Annabelle Leong is an ENT specialist in Singapore with with close to two decades of experience in handling paediatric and adult ENT cases shares more on the reasons behind a blocked ear.

What is a blocked ear?

A blocked ear may arise due to having a clogged or muffled sensation in your ears. It occurs when the pressure in each middle ear is not even. It could also be due to the variation in the auditory pressure, causing inconsistency in the air pressure. When the eustachian tubes are not working optimally, then the equalising of pressure does not occur as expected.

What are the causes of a blocked ear?

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: When the Eustachian Tube is not functioning well, it can lead to a blocked ear. Some of the reasons for Eustachian Dysfunction to happens is:

  • Physical blockage: Overgrowth of tissue could occur due to nasal polyps or adenoids causing the opening of the eustachian tubes to be blocked. Tumours may also be a cause.
  • Ruptured ear drum: A tear or hole in the eardrum causing a perforation can lead to a build-up of fluids, trauma and ear infections. A ruptured eardrum can make you more vulnerable for infection.
  • Swelling-induced blockage: Sinus infections can cause congestion and swelling. Respiratory tract infections could cause the inner ear to become inflamed and blocked. When the eustachian tube is unable to drain mucus, it can disrupt the functions of the middle and inner ear.

When the eustachian tube opens, it releases the built-up pressure finding a remedy for the blocked ear. Ear infections are treated by an ENT doctor with antibiotics to fight off infection. If there is sinus congestion, it can be revealed through nasal sprays. Frequent ear blocks should be evaluated by an ENT doctor.

Ear Infections

Middle Ear Infections: Sinus congestion could lead to a blocked Eustachian tube. This could happen due to allergies or sinus infections. Bacterial infections can spread through to the middle ear causing infection, fluid retention and inflammation. Ear pain and discomfort is caused due to the condition otitis media. Antibiotics help to ease the viral and bacterial infections in the middle ear.

Blockage due to Earwax

Build-up of Earwax: The build-up of earwax happens naturally to prevent general infections by bacteria, fungi and other causes. Earwax helps in keeping the ears clean and lubricated, but excess build-up of earwax can cause problems. It causes impacted cerumen. When there is excess earwax building up, it is pushed towards the outer ear. Blocked ears due to wax harden with time and it causes shortness of hearing, till the plug is removed. This can be annoying as well as lead to other health problems. Visiting an ENT specialist to remove excess earwax is recommended.

Swimmer’s Ear

Otitis Externa: Swimmer’s ear is caused by the inflammation of the auditory canal. This is mostly due to an infection in the outer ear, triggered by over exposure to water or deep cleaning of the ear. This condition can lead to discomfort, pain and pus in the ear canal. It can also lead to ringing of the ear and itchiness. Antibiotics and antifungal medicine can help to treat this condition. Some other factors which can trigger this condition are:

  • Chemical irritants for example from hair products
  • Chronic conditions like Diabetes
  • Narrow ear canals which cause difficulty in draining
  • Foreign objects being inserted

Barotrauma

Pressure due to elevated heights: Airplane ear happens when flying. At elevated levels, the pressure of the ear is different to that of the outside air pressure. If this happens for extended periods of time, it can lead to perforation of the ear drum. Barotrauma is experienced due to frequent flying, diving, hiking and scuba diving. It can cause dizziness, ear pain and accumulation of pressure in the ears. Severe barotrauma causes temporary hearing loss, nose bleeds and eardrum perforation.

If you face discomfort when flying, one option is to chew gum. It helps the eustachian tube to open. Symptoms generally resolve on their own, however, if there is damage then corrective surgery may be needed.

Temporary loss of hearing can happen due to a blocked ear and it is common in children too. However, if younger children and babies show signs and symptoms of hearing loss, medical intervention is advised.

If you experience a sudden loss of hearing in one ear, without a clear origin, then it is best to treat it as a medical emergency and it has to be treated promptly. Sudden hearing loss is an ENT emergency and you should seek help from an experienced ENT specialist to avoid losing your hearing permanently.

This is a sponsored post

Leave your vote

0 points
Upvote Downvote

Total votes: 0

Upvotes: 0

Upvotes percentage: 0.000000%

Downvotes: 0

Downvotes percentage: 0.000000%

Digital Health Buzz!

Digital Health Buzz!

Digital Health Buzz! aims to be the destination of choice when it comes to what’s happening in the digital health world. We are not about news and views, but informative articles and thoughts to apply in your business.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hey there!

Sign in

Forgot password?

Don't have an account? Register

Close
of

Processing files…