For instance, for some people, swimming has been known to cause a higher production of earwax. Hearing aids or earplugs tend to prevent earwax from falling out of the ear and could also cause a blockage. So if you happen to produce a lot of hearing wax, or you wear hearing aids or use earplugs a lot, make sure you get your ears cleaned once in a while. Cotton swabs and towel corners could make things worse.
If you have clogged ears, the best solution is to get them cleaned by a doctor or a healthcare professional. That means it may be time to get a free test at a hearing care professional. How do your ears feel? Although there are many reasons an ear can be blocked, we highlight the five most common reasons your ears are blocked.
Opening the eustachian tube allows for the release of pressure. Often, for sinus congestion resulting from colds and flues, nasal sprays are also prescribed. However, if the blockage does not clear, there is a dysfunction in the tube. This could cause further complications leading to infection if not treated though this is rare.
The middle ear is a sensitive region of the overall ear. The middle ear is located between the eardrum and the oval window and is responsible for transmitting sound from outer ear to inner ear. This is where three incredibly small and sensitive bones called the hammer malleus , the anvil incus and the stirrup stapes transmit vibrations into sounds waves that travel into the inner ear. Sometime a sinus congestion resulting from illnesses, sinus infections, and allergies can cause the eustachian tubes to block, leading to fluid buildup in the middle ear and inflammation.
Further, a bacterial sinus infection can spread to the middle ear causing swelling, fluid buildup, and infection. This is a condition known as otitis media and is often associated with ear pain and pressure.
Most of the time otitis media will clear up on its own; however, at times antibiotics are prescribed. Treatment is delivered based on the underlying issue — whether it be viral or bacterial. Fascinated by how our ears actually work? Learn more about how our hearing works and how our incredibly sensitive ears are able to transform sound waves into real noise we hear.
Earwax is a naturally occurring substance which protects the ears from water, bacteria, fungi, and other elements. It helps the ears stay lubricated and clean; however, sometimes excess earwax builds up which causes problems. T his is referred to as Excessive Earwax or Impacted Cerumen.
Typically, earwax that is produced by the ear is pushed towards the outer part of the ear where it is washed away or falls out; however, people with excess ear wax may find that too much wax in the ear blocks their hearing. Further, as earwax builds up over time, it may harden and become difficult to wash away; this also makes ears more susceptible to blockages.
Earwax blockage is not only annoying, but can lead to other health problems. According to Harvard Health, ear canals that become plugged up with earwax can cause earaches, infections, and other problems. On top of conductive hearing loss, other symptoms of excessive earwax include pain in the ear, itchiness, or dizziness.
A specialist can remove the wax safely and recommend products and wax-removal methods more on safe, at-home earwax removal below! If your ears are full of wax, they can often feel clogged.
And sometimes, ear wax buildup can be tough to remove. Gural-Toth says that you should never attempt to remove ear wax using a Q-tip. Gural-Toth says that problems with pressure equalization are why people often experience clogged ears when riding in an airplane.
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