Why are my ears clogged?
Clogged ears can be very bothersome, especially when you don’t know what the cause of it is. It can be so frustrating trying to figure out why all sounds are muffled in your ears. There are a few different reasons why you have clogged ears, but remember, it’s always important to see your hearing care professional when you are having ear issues.
Earwax Impacted in Your Ear
Earwax has an essential purpose – it protects the ear from dirt and debris entering the ear canal. Its sticky consistency acts as a lubricant, and it also naturally falls out of the ear, so it is self-cleaning. There are times, though, that it can become impacted. If you haven’t ever had impacted earwax, then you may not know how it feels. Here are a few symptoms you can experience with impacted earwax:
Feeling like your ears are clogged
Earache or discomfort
Ringing in the ear or tinnitus
Itchy ears
Odor or discharge from the ear
Cough or congestion
To have impacted earwax removed, you need to make an appointment at your hearing care professional or physician, because only they can safely remove it without causing damage to the delicate parts of your ear. While you may find home remedies on the internet, this isn’t ever a good idea because you could push the earwax further in the ear canal or accidentally puncture your eardrum.
Fluid in Your Ear
If you are an avid swimmer, then it’s standard to have water in your ears, but even non-swimmers can get fluid in their ears. How does fluid get in your ears? There are a couple of different ways this can happen:
Ear infection – If you develop a middle ear infection, you can have a plugged sensation in the ear because there is fluid buildup behind the eardrum. While it usually clears on its own, it can take a few days and be painful. If the pain is severe and takes longer than a day to start alleviating, then call your hearing care specialist or physician.
Bathing or Swimming – When earwax isn’t plentiful, then water can become trapped in the ear after bathing or swimming. To get the water out, try tilting your head to the side and moving your earlobe gently to loosen it out or using a warm compress against the ear to loosen it.
Sinus Pressure in Your Ear
Often during cold, flu, and allergy season, we get so congested that it affects our ears as well. There are times when your ears can be filled with congestion, which can cause a clogged feeling or even temporary hearing loss. Luckily, any clogging or hearing loss you experience from congestion is temporary and should clear once your congestion goes away. If it doesn’t, or you experience any severe ear pain, then contact your hearing care specialist or physician immediately to have your ears checked.
Clogged ears can be very bothersome and cause you to have difficulty accomplishing your normal daily activities. If you suffer from clogged ears and they don’t seem to be getting any relief, give us a call at 864-881-1663 and schedule an appointment. We are ready to help you at one of our four convenient locations in Simpsonville, Greer, Travelers Rest, and Greenville.
Clogged ears bothering you?
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