Do you often feel a blockage in your ear, feel uncomfortable, and lose the ability to hear in a normal way? Learn with us in this article about the reasons Ear blockage And ways to treat and get rid of it.

Causes of ear blockage

Momentary things may happen, such as water entering the ears, causing them to become blocked, and there may be another pathological problem that may cause this blockage as follows:

an ear infection

This infection causes Inflammation of the middle ear It is a common problem that occurs due to the accumulation of fluid in the ear, which allows many viruses and bacteria to multiply, causing pain and blockage in the ear, and this infection is one of the most common causes of ear blockage with the common cold.

atmospheric pressure changes

This condition is also called “aircraft ear” because it is more common with air travel, where blockage occurs due to changes in atmospheric pressure, and this condition can also occur with being in any place high above the ground.

Earwax buildup

When too much earwax is secreted, it can build up, harden, and block the ear canals. There are many causes for earwax buildup.

The entry of a foreign body into the ear

This is very common in children because they do a lot of illogical things such as putting small loose objects from their toys in the ear or nose, and this can also happen to you when you clean your ear with cotton swabs and the piece of cotton slips to block the ear.

Ear blockage with water

It is one of the most common swimming injuries, because swimmers are more likely to get water in the ears, and then the water stays in the ear for a period of time that makes it difficult to get it out, as this happens to all of us with showers.

Acoustic neuroma

It is a benign tumor that grows in the nerve that extends from the ear to the brain. This tumor is small in size and grows slowly without causing a problem. However, when the size of the tumor grows, it can put pressure on the hearing nerves, causing obstruction and tinnitus, and it may even lead to hearing loss.

Ear blockage treatment

Here are home methods that you can follow first, and if they do not work or if the blockage persists, there are other medical procedures:

Ear blockage treatment at home

Ear occlusion exercises

These exercises are quick steps, especially in the case of a cold, water entering the ear, and pressure on the ears due to altitude. Here are these simple exercises:

• Try swallowing your saliva, yawning more than once, or chewing sugar-free gum. This method works to open the Eustachian tubes in the ear.
• If the previous method did not work, then take a deep breath and hold it, then blow from your nose while closing the nostrils and closing the mouth completely. If you hear a popping sound, know that you succeeded. This method is called “Valsalva maneuver“.

Use of medicines without a prescription

• Certain medications may be effective for preventing stuffy ears if you are at risk, such as if you are planning a flight or have sinus congestion. In this case, you can use over-the-counter nasal sprays or oral decongestants, but do not use them for more than a few days. .
• Nasal topical steroids may also be used, especially for people with allergies.
• There are also over-the-counter ear drops, but you must read the package leaflet and follow the instructions.

Treating ear blockage with olive oil

This method has been used since ancient times, where 3 teaspoons of olive oil are heated so that it is not too hot, then a few drops of it are placed in the ear using a dropper and left for 10-15 seconds while keeping the head tilted. We do not recommend this method always, especially It is not based on scientific evidence.

Use warm compresses or steam

You can put warm water compresses on your ear for a few minutes, or take a warm shower with steam rising for 5-10 minutes, as the steam here tries to open the ear passages.

Other medical procedures

• If the condition is very severe, the doctor may suggest the use of ventilation tubes to drain fluid from the ear and relieve pressure.
• Cleaning the ear at the doctor using the irrigation method, where the doctor uses a method to pump water into the ear and withdraw it. This method helps to open the blocked passages in the ear, especially in the case of wax accumulation.

When should you see a doctor?

Because the ear is one of the most sensitive organs in the body, and its problems must be dealt with carefully, so we advise you to consult a doctor if you have some other symptoms besides obstruction, such as:

• Vertigo and dizziness.
• Feeling pain in the ear.
• Ringing in the ear.
• Secretions from the ear.
• hearing loss.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean a serious health problem, but rather indicate the need to deal with the ear blockage problem in a more medical way and to follow a different treatment plan to solve the problem from its roots.