Constantly laying ears the reason for what to do. Physiological and pathological causes of stuffy ears

The prognosis for the presence of sulfuric cork is often favorable, since with its timely removal the symptoms disappear.

Eustachitis as a cause of ear congestion

  Eustachyite ( tubootitis) Is an inflammatory disease characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube. This disease develops as a result of dysfunction ( impaired function) Eustachian tube. With eustachitis, there is a violation of the ventilation of the tympanic cavity, the auditory tube becomes “squeezed”, which leads to a decrease in pressure in the tympanic cavity. The eardrum becomes "retracted", which is clearly seen during otoscopic examination.

Patency of the mouth of the auditory tube may be impaired in acute respiratory diseases ( ARI) In addition, the causes of tubootitis can be a curvature of the nasal septum, rhinosinusitis ( inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses), the presence of adenoid vegetation ( enlarged pharyngeal tonsils) in the nasal cavity, tamponade ( method of stopping bleeding with a gauze swab) with nosebleeds. The most common pathogenic agents of tubootitis are viruses and bacteria ( staphylococcus, streptococcus).

Ear congestion in this disease is one of the main symptoms. At first it appears periodically and disappears, then it becomes a constant symptom. Along with congestion, tinnitus, hearing loss, autophony can appear. When yawning, making swallowing movements, the hearing can improve, due to the fact that when performing these movements, the lumen of the auditory tube increases.

The main method of treatment for eustachitis is drug therapy. In order to reduce swelling of the mucous membrane with tubootitis, drops in the nose are prescribed. The patient should be warned that with a runny nose you should not blow your nose too much through both nostrils at the same time, as this can contribute to the development of middle ear infection. An effective method is catheterization of the auditory tube. A catheter is an instrument that is inserted through the nasal cavity into the pharyngeal mouth of the auditory tube. Decongestant drugs and drugs that help reduce the mucous membrane ( adrenaline solution, hydrocortisone) After catheterization, aeration of the auditory tube occurs, as a result of which the stuffiness of the ear is eliminated and hearing is improved.

An effective method of treating tubo-otitis is physiotherapy. The following methods are prescribed - laser therapy, ultraviolet radiation ( ultraviolet radiation), UHF therapy ( ) Physiotherapy methods have analgesic ( pain medication) and anti-inflammatory effect, as well as antimicrobial action due to inhibition of the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms.

Otitis externa as a cause of ear congestion

  External otitis media is an inflammatory disease that is characterized by damage to the structures of the outer ear. External otitis may occur in a limited or diffuse form. Limited otitis media includes a boil ( purulent skin inflammation) external auditory canal. The most commonly diagnosed is diffuse ( spilled) form of external otitis media. Pathogenic microorganisms play a major role in the etiology of external otitis media, among which Pseudomonas aeruginosa most often occurs. Infection is most often caused by mechanical injury to the skin of the external auditory canal with incorrect cleaning of the ears. Malignant external otitis media is more rare, which often affects older people with chronic diseases ( diabetes) This form of otitis externa progresses very quickly and is accompanied by serious complications.

External otitis may have an acute or chronic course. In acute external otitis media, pathological changes are observed mainly in the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal - swelling, desquamation ( peeling) epithelium, suppuration, hyperemia ( redness) and inflammatory infiltration of the eardrum. Chronic external otitis media is characterized by inflammatory infiltration of the skin of the ear canal and eardrum, as a result of which they thicken. The result may be a narrowing of the lumen of the external auditory canal, which is clinically characterized by the appearance of a sensation of stuffiness in the ear. Hearing damage with otitis externa is not observed, which is an important diagnostic sign in the differentiation of external and otitis media.

Treatment of otitis externa includes the appointment of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs, washing the ear canal with antiseptic solutions, and administering ear drops. Antibacterial therapy is prescribed according to the results of determining the sensitivity of pathogenic agents to antimicrobials.

Otitis media as a cause of stuffy ear

  Otitis media is an inflammatory disease that is characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the middle ear. Otitis media is often diagnosed ( up to 25% of all ENT diseases) Most often, an infection in the middle ear penetrates from the nasal cavity for colds ( tubar path) or entered hematogenously ( through blood) in the presence of other foci of infection in the body. Also, the infection can enter the middle ear through the eardrum when it is injured ( transtimpanal path).

With otitis media, hypertrophy occurs ( thickening) of the mucous membrane about 20 times, as a result of which it can fill the entire tympanic cavity. The thickening of the eardrum prevents the normal transmission of the sound signal to the inner ear. Otitis media usually develops as a complication of acute respiratory infections.

During acute otitis media, the following stages are distinguished:

• Preperforation stage. This stage is characterized by pain that is very intense, as well as stuffy ears and tinnitus, associated with impaired functioning of the auditory ossicle chain. Also at this stage there is a decrease in hearing and a deterioration in the general condition of the patient.
• Perforated stage. Perforation of the eardrum and the appearance of copious purulent discharge from the ear are characteristic. Suppuration usually lasts up to 7 days. At the end of the perforated stage, the general condition gradually improves, the symptoms become less pronounced.
• Reparative stage. At this stage, regeneration begins ( restoration of integrity) eardrum. The amount of discharge gradually decreases, and then suppuration completely disappears. Hearing is usually restored.

  Ear congestion appears even in the preperforative stage and can persist even after scarring of the eardrum. Prolonged and ongoing suppuration can be a sign of mastoiditis ( inflammation of the cavity of the mastoid of the temporal bone) or epidural abscess ( purulent inflammation in the epidural space of the brain) The diagnosis of otitis media is based on complaints and an otoscopic picture.

Otomycosis as a cause of ear congestion

Otomycosis is a fungal infection that affects the outer and middle ear. Predisposing factors in the development of otomycosis are microtrauma of the external auditory canal along with a decrease in immunity, chronic diseases, taking hormonal drugs, and long-term antibiotic treatment. High humidity, constant temperature and other local factors create favorable conditions for the development of fungal infection in the external auditory canal. On the walls of the ear canal, a secret accumulates associated with the vital activity of fungi. Ultimately, the ear canal may be obstructed ( blocked off), which is accompanied by the appearance of stuffy ears, pain, itching and hearing loss. Symptoms appear gradually, their severity increases as the disease progresses. Yellow-green to gray-brown discharge from the ears may appear. The diagnosis is based on patient complaints, clinical examination data, and microbiological examination of discharge from the ears. The mechanism of complaints is associated with mechanical damage to the tissues of the ear and the toxic effect of fungi.

The basis of treatment is antifungal therapy, which is prescribed depending on the sensitivity of the fungi detected in the microbiological study to antimycotics ( antifungal drugs) Antimycotics are usually prescribed for topical use. In the absence of the effectiveness of local antimycotic therapy, systemic antifungal therapy is prescribed.

Colds and runny nose as causes of stuffy ear

  The term cold is not medical and is often used colloquially to refer to infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract caused by viruses and bacteria ( acute respiratory infections) Colds often develop amid hypothermia. A cold is often accompanied by a stuffy ear in connection with the anatomical features of the middle ear, which communicates with the nasopharynx through the Eustachian tube. A runny nose is the main cause of ear congestion in colds, which more often appears when you blow your nose. With a runny nose, the Eustachian tube becomes edematous, which leads to a narrowing of its lumen, and this leads to impaired ventilation of the tympanic cavity. In this case, congestion of the ear is temporary and disappears after the cure of the disease.

Ear Injury as a Cause of Congestion

Ear injuries include an isolated lesion of one part or a simultaneous lesion of several parts of the hearing organ. Ear injuries are often accompanied by a feeling of stuffiness and hearing loss.

The most common causes of ear injuries are:

• Mechanical injury to the ear. Mechanical injury is usually the result of bruises, bumps, manipulation of various objects in the ear ( match, cotton swab, etc.), foreign bodies in the ear.
• Chemical and thermal damage to the ear. Such damage can include burns, which, as a rule, are the result of professional activity ( e.g. accidents at chemical laboratories).
• Acoustic Ear Injury (acutrauma) is the result of a long or short-term impact on the organ of hearing of super-strong and high sounds ( noise) With a short-term effect of noise, congestion is a temporary phenomenon and after a while passes ( if the noise was not excessively intense) If the noise is prolonged, this can lead to damage to the organ of hearing and a constant feeling of stuffiness in the ears. In acoustic trauma, it usually blocks both ears.
• Barotrauma  occurs with sudden changes in atmospheric pressure. Such an injury can occur when flying in an airplane, when immersed in water to a great depth and abrupt ascent to the surface ( decompression sickness) In this case, there may appear as just a feeling of stuffy ears and tinnitus, as well as serious damage to brain structures and blood circulation.
• Vibration injury (vibration injury) occurs with prolonged exposure to vibrations on the organ of hearing. As a rule, vibrotrauma is a professional disease in representatives of a number of professions ( workers in areas such as construction, road repair work, mechanical engineering, etc.).

Allergic rhinitis as a cause of ear congestion

  Allergic rhinitis is a lesion of the nasal mucosa in response to the penetration of allergens into the body, which is accompanied by its inflammation. The development of rhinitis is based on an allergic reaction of an immediate type. The most common allergens are plant pollen, dust, animal hair. In response to contact of the nasal mucosa with allergens, vasomotor disorders occur ( dysregulation of vascular tone), which are manifested by increased permeability of the vascular walls and the development of edema. The patient sneezes periodically, the nose becomes stuffy. Congestion is associated with nasal congestion and is temporary. After interruption of contact with the allergen and the provision of medical care, congestion disappears.

Arterial hypertension as a cause of ear congestion

  Arterial hypertension is an increase in blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg. Art. With sharp jumps in blood pressure, a headache appears ( especially in the occipital region), anxiety, dizziness, shortness of breath, tinnitus. Ear congestion may appear as a result of circulatory disorders in the inner ear.

Taking certain medications as a cause of ear congestion

  Some medications have ototoxicity, that is, have a toxic effect on the hearing organ. Taking such medications can lead to tinnitus and stuffy ears, a decrease in hearing acuity, and, ultimately, to hearing loss.

Ototoxic drugs are considered:

• Aminoglycosides  are antibacterial drugs. These include streptomycin, gentamicin, amikacin.
• Loop diuretics  are diuretics that act at the level of the loop of Henle ( structural unit of the kidney in which water is reabsorbed) Examples of loop diuretics are furosemide, torasemide.
• Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid ( aspirin), diclofenac, indomethacin may have a temporary ototoxic effect associated with impaired microcirculation in the capillaries of the inner ear. In most cases, ototoxicity is associated with an overdose or inadequate prescription.
• Psychotropic drugs (antidepressants, tranquilizers) Amitriptyline, carbamazepine, midazolam can be ototoxic.

  It should be noted that congestion in the ears can occur when taking drugs that are not ototoxic. In this case, this symptom may be due to improper administration or dosage of the drug.

Cholesteatoma as a cause of ear congestion

  A cholesteatoma is a tumor-like formation that develops in the middle ear and consists of an accumulation of epidermal cells ( epidermal masses) saturated with cholesterol. The cholesteatoma progresses slowly, gradually increasing in size. The increase in education is due to constantly produced epidermal masses. From the middle ear, it can spread to the outer ear through perforation in the eardrum. With the growth of a cholesteatoma, it destroys the structures of the middle and inner ear.

Clinically, cholesteatoma is manifested by the following symptoms:

• congestion and a feeling of heaviness in the ear;
• purulent discharge from the ear;
• earache ( otalgia);
• hearing loss;
• swelling and hyperemia around the auricle.

  The diagnosis of cholesteatoma is established on the basis of patient complaints, otoscopic examination and computed tomography ( CT) On CT, both the form of cholesteatoma and the degree of spread to nearby tissues are determined.

Treatment of cholesteatoma involves its removal by surgery. Only the complete removal of this formation can prevent its reappearance ( relapse).

Mastoiditis as a cause of ear congestion

  Mastoiditis is a disease that is characterized by inflammation of the cells of the mastoid process of the temporal bone. Mastoiditis, depending on the cause, may be primary or secondary. Primary mastoiditis is extremely rare and is associated with traumatic injuries of the mastoid process. Secondary mastoiditis occurs against the background of acute purulent otitis media. In the initial stage, only the mucous membrane is involved in the pathological process, then the bone structures of the mastoid process are destroyed and empyema occurs ( the formation of a cavity filled with pus) mastoid process. Suppuration from the ear may be observed, but this symptom is not always present, since in some cases the outflow of pus from the middle ear is impaired. The mastoid process on palpation is painful, its swelling is observed. In rare cases, latent ( hidden) course of mastoiditis. The main clinical manifestations are congestion of the ear, the presence of dull pain in the ear, hearing loss. The diagnosis of mastoiditis is established on the basis of clinical examination, complaints and the presence of acute otitis media in the past.

Sinusitis as a cause of stuffy ear

  Sinusitis is an infectious inflammation of the maxillary sinus ( maxillary sinus) The maxillary sinuses are paranasal sinuses. The main symptoms of their inflammation are soreness and a feeling of pressure in the paranasal region, copious discharge from the nose and nasal congestion. Symptoms of sinusitis become more pronounced when the body is tilted forward. Infection can enter the maxillary sinuses by hematogenous route or with inflammatory diseases of the upper teeth. The inflammatory process can spread from the sinuses to the nasal mucosa, nasopharynx, and auditory tube, causing stuffiness in the ears.

The diagnosis of sinusitis is based on the results of an X-ray examination of the paranasal sinuses. If necessary, CT can be prescribed ( cT scan), MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging), diagnostic puncture of the sinus. The basis of the treatment of sinusitis is antibiotic therapy and sinus puncture. Puncture is carried out in order to extract purulent contents and take samples to determine the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics, which affects the effectiveness of treatment. In the event that sinusitis is a consequence of a disease of the roots of the teeth of the upper jaw, oral sanitation and treatment of dental diseases are simultaneously carried out.

Traumatic brain injuries as a cause of ear congestion

  Depending on the location of the traumatic injury, various disturbances in the functioning of the hearing organ may appear. Congestion of the ear, along with other signs of damage to the organ of hearing, may be a symptom of damage to the central part of the auditory analyzer. Symptoms usually persist for a long time.

Traumatic brain injuries, which may be accompanied by damage to the organ of hearing, are:

• intracranial hemorrhage;
• combined injuries ( several types of injuries at the same time).

Otosclerosis as a cause of ear congestion

  Otosclerosis is a dystrophic disease of the ear, which is accompanied by abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, damage to the auditory ossicle chain and progressive hearing loss. The lesion occurs mainly in the bone capsule of the labyrinth ( inner ear).

The main causes of otosclerosis are considered genetic abnormalities, prolonged exposure to noise on the body, hormonal imbalance. Decalcification ( leaching of calcium salts from bone tissue), foci of spongy bone tissue appear.

The disease develops gradually, often bilateral damage occurs. The diagnosis is based on otoscopy, during which atrophy is detected ( malnutrition) the eardrum and the skin of the external auditory meatus.

The first signs of otosclerosis are tinnitus and stuffy ears, then hearing is gradually worsening. Treatment of otosclerosis is carried out using surgical methods. In order to reduce the activity of the pathological process, conservative treatment is carried out, which consists in the appointment of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D preparations, as well as the use of physiotherapy methods.

Exostoses of the external auditory canal as a cause of congestion

  Exostoses are bone formations that appear on the walls of the external auditory canal. Etiology ( reasons for the appearance) exostosis has not been fully studied, but at the moment it is believed that these formations appear due to genetic disorders. Exostoses can be single and multiple. Small exostoses are usually asymptomatic and are detected accidentally by otoscopy. With an increase in their size, pain, hearing loss, a feeling of stuffiness in the ear and tinnitus appear. The diagnosis can be easily established with otoscopy. The only treatment for exostosis is surgery. The need for treatment in each case is determined individually and depends on the size of the formation, the degree of hearing impairment, the presence of pain. Exostoses are benign formations and are not susceptible to malignancy ( cancerous rebirth).

Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal as a cause of ear congestion

  Foreign bodies can be insects, pieces of various materials, seeds. Foreign bodies in the ear canal are also found in children ( most often), and in adults. When large foreign bodies get into the ear canal, patients complain of decreased hearing acuity, congestion in the ears, and reflex cough. In some cases, the presence of foreign bodies in the external auditory canal may not occur for a long time. Over time, when earwax begins to build up on them, symptoms appear. Removal of foreign bodies is carried out by washing or using special hooks, it must be carried out very carefully in connection with the risk of injury to the tissues of the ear and eardrum.

In the case when insects are a foreign body, their every movement is accompanied by pain and discomfort. In this case, it is recommended to carefully inject a small amount of warm water into the external auditory canal so that the insect dies, and then you should consult a doctor.

If a foreign body can swell ( bean), then pre-infused drops containing alcohol, which contributes to its wrinkling. If a foreign body completely blocked the ear canal, then it is removed using a special hook, turning it over the foreign body.

The presence of foreign bodies in the ear canal is considered a condition that requires the most rapid medical intervention. It is not recommended to try to remove foreign bodies yourself, as this increases the risk of damage to the walls of the ear canal, pushing the foreign body even deeper, damage to the eardrum, the development of otitis media and damage to nerves.

Neoplasms as a cause of ear congestion

  Ear neoplasms can be either benign or malignant and affect any of its departments. Benign tumors that can develop in the ear region and be accompanied by its congestion are papillomas ( tumors of epithelial origin), hemangiomas ( vascular tumors), fibromas ( connective tissue tumors) Malignant neoplasms are more common in the form of squamous and basal cell carcinomas.

In the early stages, the development of the tumor may be asymptomatic, it can be detected by chance during instrumental examination. As the tumor grows, it can lead to obstruction of the auditory canal, damage to the cranial nerves. With an increase in tumors in size, clinical symptoms begin to appear - hearing loss, ear congestion, tinnitus, sensation of throbbing in the ears. The main methods of treatment for ear neoplasms are surgery and radiation therapy.

Damage to the auditory nerve as a cause of ear congestion

  Damage to the auditory nerve may be due to traumatic brain injuries, infections, intoxications ( poisoning), ischemia ( circulatory failure) of the brain, hypertension. As a result of the action of etiological factors, neuritis of the auditory nerve occurs. Progression of neuritis can lead to hearing loss or complete hearing loss.

The main symptoms of auditory nerve damage are:

• hearing loss;
• tinnitus;
• stuffy ears;
• otalgia.

  Often, at the same time as hearing damage, a lesion of vestibular function is observed ( when involved in the pathological process of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve), which is accompanied by dizziness, nausea.

In most cases, pathological changes are irreversible. Treatment can be effective only with early detection of the disease. Timely initiation of treatment is the key to restoring hearing and eliminating ear congestion.

Flattened ear without pain

  Congestion of the ear is not always accompanied by pain. Usually painless ear congestion appears with non-inflammatory diseases of the ear or the initial stage of inflammatory diseases. Even if congestion in the ears is painless, attention should be paid to this condition, as this may be the first sign of hearing damage.

Causes of painless stuffy ears

  The causes may be pathological conditions or a temporary effect on the organ of hearing of some physical factors ( e.g. atmospheric pressure differences).

The main causes of congestion in the ear, not accompanied by pain, are:

• aerootite ( pathological process, which is accompanied by damage to the organ of hearing with sudden changes in atmospheric pressure);
• uncomplicated colds;
• water entering the ear;
• sulfuric cork;
• uncomplicated otitis externa.

  As a rule, painless congestion of the ears is not long and after eliminating the provoking factor quickly disappears.

Diagnosis of painless ear congestion

  Diagnosis of pathological conditions accompanied by a stuffy ear without pain is based on anamnesis ( disease information), clinical examination and instrumental studies. The main method of instrumental examination of the ear is otoscopy.

Methods for diagnosing conditions accompanied by a stuffy ear without pain are:

• Medical history. When collecting an anamnesis, they pay attention to the presence of chronic diseases of the ENT organs, recent flights, trips in the subway. The doctor analyzes the complaints of ear congestion, the time and conditions in which they appeared. In addition to the main complaint, it is important to find out the concomitant symptoms that help in the differential diagnosis and the establishment of the correct clinical diagnosis.
• Otoscopic examination involves examination of the external auditory canal and the eardrum using a special tool - an otoscope. With one hand, the auricle of the test is slightly pulled back and up, and with the help of the other hand, the otoscope funnel is inserted into the cartilaginous part of the external auditory meatus. With the introduction of the otoscope, a reflex cough may appear due to irritation of the ear branches of the vagus nerve. During the study, masses of earwax can be detected that completely or partially obstruct the lumen of the external auditory canal.

Treatment of painless stuffy ears

  Treatment of diseases accompanied by stuffy ear without pain involves the use of various methods. The choice of treatment depends on the pathology that caused the stuffiness of the ear.

The main methods of treating the causes of painless congestion of the ear are:

• Foreign body removal. Even if the presence of a foreign body in the ear canal is asymptomatic, it is necessary to remove it, since prolonged exposure to a foreign body can lead to suppuration and the development of an inflammatory-infectious process.
• Sulfur plug removal. To carry out this procedure, it is recommended to contact a qualified specialist. The sooner the sulfur plug is removed, the lower the risk of complications.
• The treatment of colds. The treatment of colds involves the appointment of drugs for the general strengthening of immunity, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibacterial drugs.

  If nasal congestion occurs with aerootitis, frequent swallowing movements are recommended.

Stuffy ear and sore

  Ear congestion, accompanied by pain, may be associated with a large number of ENT diseases and diseases of other organs and systems. Pain can be a manifestation of mechanical damage to ear structures, an inflammatory disease, or nerve damage. The presence of pain and ear congestion can seriously affect the general condition and performance of a person, since pain is often unbearable.

Causes of Ear Congestion and Pain

  The causes of pain and stuffy ears can be varied. One of the common causes is mechanical injury to the walls of the external auditory canal and the eardrum when cleaning the ears with cotton buds.
  The development of inflammatory diseases of various parts of the ear is also accompanied by pain and congestion. These symptoms appear due to the development of mediators of inflammation, increased permeability of the vascular walls and the development of edema.

The main causes of ear congestion and pain are:

• otitis media;
• mastoiditis;
• eustachitis;
• neoplasms of the ear.

Diagnosing the causes of ear congestion and pain

  In order to diagnose the causes of ear congestion and pain, it is necessary to conduct a study of the hearing organ, using clinical, paraclinical ( laboratory) and instrumental research methods.

The main methods for diagnosing the causes of painful stuffiness in the ear are:

• Medical history. When collecting an anamnesis, it is important to find out the presence of ENT diseases in the anamnesis, the frequency of their exacerbations, the relationship of their appearance with certain factors ( for example, hypothermia), the presence of concomitant diseases and symptoms.
• Patient examination. On examination, pain on palpation, hyperemia of the skin of the external auditory canal and parotid region, the presence of purulent discharge from the ear can be detected. On palpation, enlarged cervical and anterior ear lymph nodes can be detected.
• Otoscopic examination. With otoscopy, the external auditory canal and the eardrum are visualized. In the case of perforation of the tympanic membrane, the tympanic cavity can also be visualized. In the presence of pathology, hyperemia of the eardrum, the skin of the external auditory canal, sulfur cork, the presence of purulent discharge is detected.
• X-ray examination of the paranasal sinuses  may be prescribed for the diagnosis of maxillary sinus inflammation. Sinusitis on an x-ray looks like a blackout with a distinct fluid level in the region of the maxillary sinuses.
• The study of the vestibular apparatus  held to exclude his defeat. The study of the vestibular apparatus involves the use of special tests - finger test ( the patient is asked with his eyes closed to touch the tip of the nose with his index finger), Romberg pose ( it is considered positive if, when standing with the eyes closed and the arms extended forward, an imbalance of the subject occurs), spontaneous nystagmus ( involuntary movement of the eyeballs).
• Clinical ( common) blood analysis. In a clinical blood test, changes are found in indicators that are sensitive to the development of infectious and inflammatory processes in the body, but non-specific for pathologies associated with ear damage. Such changes are an increase in ESR ( erythrocyte sedimentation rate), increased white blood cell count ( white blood cells) The results of a clinical blood test can be obtained within one day.
• Study of the function of the auditory tubes. For this, special samples are used ( valsalva test, Toynbee test, Politzer test) These samples allow us to assess the patency of the auditory tubes based on its purging by various methods.
• Microbiological analysis. Microbiological analysis of the ear can be used to identify the etiological factor of infectious damage to the ear ( fungi, bacteria) and determine its sensitivity to antibacterial and antifungal drugs. The results of microbiological analysis, as a rule, are issued within a few days.
• X-ray of the temporal bones. This method is informative if x-ray of both temporal bones is simultaneously performed, which is very important for the possibility of a comparative analysis. An X-ray examination of the temporal bones reveals a cholesteatoma, a degree of destruction ( destruction) mastoid process, assess the condition of the internal auditory canal.

Treating Causes of Ear Congestion and Pain

  Treatment of diseases accompanied by congestion and pain in the ear can be conservative and surgical. The treatment tactics each time is determined individually, based on the patient’s condition, the severity of the disease, the risks of complications. If congestion is a sign of ear pathology, the underlying disease is treated.

Also, in the treatment of the causes of ear congestion and pain, folk remedies can be used, but before that, you should consult a doctor to prevent complications.

Conservative methods for treating the causes of ear congestion and pain are:

• Drug treatment. Drug treatment includes the appointment of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics. Medicines are often prescribed for topical use ( ear drops) With the ineffectiveness of local treatment, drugs for systemic use are prescribed.
• Physiotherapeutic treatment. The most commonly used physiotherapeutic methods are UHF ( ultra high frequency therapy), Ural Federal District ( ultraviolet radiation) They help relieve inflammation and accelerate the regeneration of affected tissues.

If conservative methods of treating the causes of ear congestion and pain are not effective, resort to surgical methods.

Surgical treatments for the causes of ear congestion and pain include:

• Auditory tube catheterization. Catheterization of the auditory tube is performed to assess the patency of the auditory tube. Medications are introduced through the catheter that help relieve swelling and increase the lumen of the auditory tube. When a catheter is inserted, discomfort may occur. Catheterization of the auditory tube is highly effective for tubo-otitis.
• Eardrum bypass  is carried out in order to normalize the pressure in the middle ear and prevent the accumulation of pathological fluid in the middle ear with its difficult outflow. The essence of the operation is to insert a shunt ( small tube) into the eardrum after the preliminary implementation of a small incision in it. As a result, the ventilation of the tympanum is improved. The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia. Bypass surgery has a good effect with frequent purulent otitis media. It is important to prevent water from entering the ear in which the shunt is located, in order to prevent the development of middle ear infection. For this, special devices ( ear plugs).
• Mastoidotomy  - This is an opening of the mastoid process of the temporal bone. An indication for mastoidotomy is acute or chronic mastoiditis. The purpose of the operation is the removal of purulent exudate from the cells of the mastoid process and the removal of affected tissue to restore the functioning of the hearing organ.
• Eardrum paracentesis  - This is a surgical intervention during which a tympanic membrane is punctured to evacuate purulent contents with inflammation of the middle ear. Manipulation is carried out using a paracentesis needle. Paracentesis of the eardrum is carried out after unsuccessful conservative treatment. Due to the fact that the eardrum is very sensitive, the operation is performed under local anesthesia. Anesthesia is carried out using special mixtures of drugs ( a mixture of Bonen and Gordyshevsky and others.) The effect of paracentesis occurs very quickly.

  To prevent complications after surgery, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed.

Stuffed ear after swimming

  After bathing, a feeling of stuffy ear often appears. This is due to the penetration of water into the external auditory meatus. This condition is called the swimmer’s ear. The mechanism of the appearance of stuffy ears after swimming is that water interferes with the normal passage of the sound wave to the middle ear.

When swimming in the sea, the river, sand or other small foreign objects can get into the ear with water, which, in addition to congestion, can lead to itching and soreness. In addition, contaminated water entering the ear can lead to an ear infection, which causes a feeling of stuffiness and hearing loss.

Especially often after bathing there is a stuffy ear in the presence of sulfuric plugs. This is due to the fact that the water that has got into the ear contributes to the swelling of the sulfur plug, which can completely block the lumen of the ear canal. In this case, congestion appears abruptly immediately after swimming. When removing the sulfur plug, this condition goes away.

Some experts advise jumping on one leg, throwing your head to the side in the direction of the stuffy ear, which can help remove water from the external auditory canal.

Stuffed ear in an airplane

  A stuffy ear in an airplane is a phenomenon that is very common. This symptom refers to barotrauma. The reason for its appearance is atmospheric pressure fluctuations. When the plane gains altitude, atmospheric pressure decreases, and the pressure in the tympanic cavity does not change. The difference between the pressure in the tympanic cavity and atmospheric pressure leads to the indentation of the eardrum, which is subjectively felt as a stuffy ear. The congestion often appears during take-off and landing, but can persist throughout the flight. Swallowing, sucking on candy or chewing gum is recommended. These movements contribute to the fact that the lumen of the auditory tube increases, air enters the ear and the pressure equalizes.

In some cases, congestion of ears in an airplane can be accompanied by serious complications ( tympanic hemorrhage, rupture of the tympanic membrane).

The presence of diseases of the ENT organs is a predisposing factor in the appearance of stuffy ears. In the presence of a runny nose, it is recommended to use vasoconstrictive drops for the nose before take-off and before landing. They help relieve swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and increase the lumen of the auditory tube.

After the flight, if congestion persists, self-blowing can be performed according to the Valsalva method. To do this, squeeze the nose with your fingers, close your mouth and exhale deeply. Self-blowing is not recommended for nasal congestion, as in this case it is possible for the discharge from the nasal cavity to enter the auditory tube, which is fraught with the development of otitis media.

Drops to help with ear congestion

  The technique for treating ear congestion can be different depending on the cause that caused it. In most cases, topical medications are prescribed that help relieve the sensation of stuffiness in the ear.

Drops prescribed for stuffy ear can have a different mechanism of action. Most often, drops are prescribed that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, which in most cases eliminates the causes of ear congestion and prevents complications.

  It should be noted that drops that help with ear congestion are not necessarily instilled into the ear. Due to the fact that a common cause of stuffy ears is a runny nose and swelling of the Eustachian tube, the doctor may prescribe intranasal drops ( into the nose).

Drops to help with ear congestion

It is recommended to store the ear drops in the refrigerator, and before use, you need to hold a little in your hands or in a container of warm water so as not to cause irritation. During instillation, the auricle is pulled back and up to straighten the ear canal. Immediately after instillation of the droplets, congestion of the ears may increase, however, this is a temporary phenomenon. This is due to the contact of the drug with the eardrum. After absorption of the drug, such congestion disappears.

If ear congestion persists for a long time, you should consult a doctor. This is very important, since often this symptom is a sign of serious diseases, which, if not provided with timely medical care, can lead to irreversible pathological changes.

What to do at home if the ear is blocked?

  There are many methods to combat stuffy ears at home. Before using these methods, it is recommended to consult a doctor, since self-medication can not only be ineffective, but also exacerbate the situation.

Self-blowing is an effective way to eliminate ear congestion, which can easily be done at home. To do this, close your mouth, squeeze your nose with your fingers and take a deep exhale. You should know that self-blowing is contraindicated in case of nasal congestion, since in this case the use of this method is fraught with complications ( intensification of the inflammatory process in the middle ear) Also, self-medication is strictly not recommended for patients with perforation ( perforation) eardrum.

At home, you can use traditional medicine methods, especially if at the moment there is no way to see a doctor.

The main methods of dealing with stuffy ears at home are:

• Propolis Flask. Propolis has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The infusion can be prepared on the basis of water or alcohol. To achieve a therapeutic effect, a few drops of infusion are instilled into the ear 2 to 3 times a day or a cotton swab soaked in propolis infusion is inserted into the ear. Also, propolis infusion can be bought ready-made at the pharmacy.
• Aloe juice  It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Using a pipette, a few drops are instilled into the external auditory canal or a turunda moistened with fresh aloe juice is inserted into the external auditory canal.
• Ear warming.  Warm compresses have a number of positive properties - vasodilation and improved microcirculation. Caution should be exercised when using this method, since in some cases it is contraindicated. Warming is absolutely contraindicated in the acute stages of ear diseases, especially in the presence of purulent processes. This is due to the fact that heating can contribute to the spread of infection, its hematogenous ( through blood) spacing from the focus in the ear to other organs.
• Swallowing  It helps to relieve congestion of the ear due to the fact that this leads to an expansion of the lumen of the auditory tube. For these purposes, you can use sweets or chewing gum. This contributes to the production of saliva, swallowing which stuffy ear disappears.

  The use of these methods, as a rule, has temporary effectiveness. In order to completely eliminate the problem of stuffiness in the ears, it is necessary to diagnose and treat ear pathology. Therefore, as soon as possible, it is recommended to consult an otorhinolaryngologist. It should be borne in mind that there may be individual intolerance to the components of alternative methods of treatment and the development of an allergic reaction.

Why is it noisy and stuffy in the ear?

  Noise in ears ( tinnitus) and congestion almost always accompany each other. The appearance of these symptoms is usually associated with an inflammatory disease or traumatic damage to the structures of the ear.

Pathological conditions in which congestion and tinnitus appear are:

• Acoustic trauma. Acoustic injury, as a rule, is a consequence of the action of strong noise on the organ of hearing. The effect of noise can be simultaneous or permanent. As a rule, acoustic trauma develops in people whose professional activity involves a long time in noisy rooms. Acoustic injury can also develop when you are close to the epicenter during explosions or shooting without special protective equipment ( headphones, ear plugs).
• Otitis. Otitis is an inflammatory process in the ear. May affect the outside ( otitis externa) or middle ear ( otitis media) Along with stuffy ears and tinnitus with otitis media, ear pain and suppuration are observed. Otitis is often a complication of colds, accompanied by catarrhal symptoms ( mucosal inflammation) upper respiratory tract.
• Eardrum Damage  may be associated with an attempt to independently remove a foreign body from the external auditory canal, with improper cleaning of the ears, a sharp increase or decrease in atmospheric pressure. With otoscopy, hemorrhage, a hematoma in the tympanic cavity can be detected. Damage to the eardrum is accompanied by pain in the ear and impaired hearing. This pathological condition is dangerous, as it can be complicated by the spread of infection in the middle ear and a decrease or loss of hearing.
• Aerootite. Aerootitis is a disease that occurs with sudden changes in atmospheric pressure and is manifested by congestion and tinnitus. Most often, this disease occurs when diving to a depth and a sharp ascent. This condition is called caisson disease. Also, aerootitis often develops when flying on an airplane. During a flight with stuffy ears, it is recommended to perform swallowing movements to normalize the ratio between atmospheric pressure and pressure in the tympanic cavity of the middle ear.
• Water in ear. Symptoms in this case are related to the fact that water entering the ear interferes with the normal passage of the sound wave through the eardrum to the chain of auditory ossicles. In addition, the ingress of contaminated water into the external auditory canal can cause the development of an inflammatory and infectious process in the ear.
• Foreign bodies in the external auditory meatus  are also a common cause of congestion and tinnitus. Noise is especially intense when live insects get into the ear. Foreign bodies must be removed as quickly as possible from the external auditory canal.
• Stress and overwork.  Stressful situations can be accompanied by ringing and tinnitus, stuffy ears, headache, which are associated with neuropsychic overstrain.

To eliminate tinnitus and stuffy ears, the key is to eliminate the cause. To do this, consult a doctor.

Why does the child have ears in it?

  In general, the congestion of the ears in a child is caused by the same reasons as in adults, but it also has its own characteristics. One of the common causes of stuffy ears in children is foreign bodies in the external auditory canal.

The immune system in children is in a state of development and therefore is imperfect, so the reaction to the development of infectious and inflammatory processes can be more pronounced. Also, in children a large number of infections are accompanied by catarrhal phenomena of the upper respiratory tract. In this regard, congestion of ears in children is quite common.

The occurrence of stuffy ears in children is associated with anatomical features. In children, the Eustachian tube is located in a horizontal position, in connection with this, inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx easily spread to the mucous membrane of the auditory tube, which leads to the development of otitis media. In addition, the auditory tube is shorter and its lumen wider, which is a favorable factor for the spread of infection into the middle ear from the nasopharynx.

Another cause of stuffy ears in children can be the formation of sulfur plugs. The reason for the formation of sulfur plugs is the structural features of the ear canal in children and increased sulfur formation. The factor provoking the formation of sulfuric cork is improper hygiene of the ears, that is, the improper use of cotton buds, which instead of removing sulfur often contribute to pushing it deeper and accumulating in the form of a cork.

In infants, the development of inflammatory diseases of the ear is associated with their predominantly horizontal position, which leads to the development of stasis ( stagnation) in the posterior part of the nasal cavity. In newborn babies, an inflammatory lesion of the ear can occur as a result of ingestion of amniotic fluid during childbirth and their entry through the auditory tube into the tympanic cavity of the middle ear.

One of the most common childhood diseases is otitis media ( middle ear inflammation) Often children develop recurrent forms of otitis media ( when exacerbations occur regularly), which may be due to the proliferation of adenoids. Pharyngeal tonsil inflammation ( adenoiditis) in children is often accompanied by a transition of the inflammatory process to the auditory tube.

Diagnosis is based on otoscopic findings.

When otoscopy, the following symptoms can be detected:

• diffuse hyperemia ( redness) eardrum;
• turbidity and discoloration of the eardrum;
• protrusion of the eardrum;
• thinning of the eardrum;
• suppuration.

  The clinical picture of diseases accompanied by stuffy ear in children is more pronounced. Often there is a deterioration in the general condition of the child, symptoms of inflammation of the meninges may appear.

The main methods used in the treatment of causes of ear congestion in children are:

• antibacterial therapy;
• paracentesis ( puncture) eardrum;
• the appointment of vasoconstrictive drops in the nose;
• surgical removal of adenoids.

Why does my head hurt and block my ears?

  The appearance of a headache and stuffiness in the ears may be the result of inflammatory diseases or circulatory disorders of the brain.

Headache and stuffy ears may occur in the following pathological conditions:

• Acute respiratory viral infections ( ARVI) . ARVI is initially manifested by a runny nose, cough. If the virus enters the bloodstream, symptoms of general intoxication of the body occur - headache, sore throat, general weakness and fatigue.
• Sinusitis. Congestion of the ear with sinusitis occurs when the inflammatory process spreads from the maxillary sinus to the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and auditory tube. Headache usually occurs in the frontal region and worsens when the head is tilted forward. Congestion is a secondary phenomenon, therefore, when eliminating the root cause, it passes.
• Otitis. Congestion is one of the main symptoms of otitis media. Headache with otitis media usually occurs in the temporal region. The pain is constant and has a pulsating or aching character. When involved in the pathological process of the mastoid process of the temporal bone ( mastoiditis) pain may appear in the occipital region.
• Ear injuries. Injury to the ear can occur during manipulations in the ear by various objects, with external exposure ( hit) The pain initially occurs in the ear, then can radiate ( spread) to neighboring areas.
• Impaired blood supply to the brain. Violation of the blood supply to the brain can lead to cerebral ischemia, ischemic neuropathy of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve, which is characterized by hearing damage and headache.
• High blood pressure. An increase in blood pressure is usually accompanied by a headache ( more often in the occipital region), tinnitus and stuffy ears. After normalizing the pressure, the symptoms usually disappear.
• Stress and overworkaccompanied by neuropsychic overstrain of the body.

  If you have a headache and stuffy ears, you can contact an ENT doctor, neurologist or family doctor. A timely visit to a doctor will allow early diagnosis and treatment of the causative disease, as well as prevent complications.

Why is it laying ears and dizzy?

  The simultaneous appearance of these two symptoms in most cases indicates damage to the inner ear. The mechanism of the appearance of this condition is associated with the anatomical structure of the inner ear, which consists of structures responsible for auditory and vestibular functions. Often there is a simultaneous defeat in connection with the anatomical neighborhood. Dizziness and stuffy ears are rarely caused by mechanical damage to the structures of the ear or other injuries and injuries. Also, these symptoms may be associated with an increase or decrease in blood pressure.

Pathological conditions that are characterized by stuffy ears and dizziness are:

• Auditory nerve damage. The defeat of the auditory nerve may be a consequence of circulatory disorders of the brain, traumatic brain injury, intoxication, systemic and ear infections. Dizziness with damage to the auditory nerve appears when the vestibular cochlear nerve is involved in the pathological process, which is responsible for vestibular function.
• Meniere's disease  - This is a disease of the inner ear, which is characterized by an increase in pressure inside the labyrinth and increased secretion of the labyrinth fluid. The disease is accompanied by periodic bouts of dizziness, hearing loss, tinnitus and congestion, imbalance and coordination of movements, nystagmus ( involuntary eyeball movements) Attacks can last from a few minutes to several days.
• Benign paroxysmal positional dizziness. Symptoms of this disease appear when the body position changes. Along with dizziness, symptoms of damage to the auditory function from the affected ear occur - tinnitus, stuffy ears, hearing loss.
• Acoustic Ear Injury. This pathological condition occurs when the ear is exposed to excessively intense sounds. The main symptoms are tinnitus, stuffy ear, dizziness, and a feeling of stunning.

  Dizziness with stuffy ears may be one of the manifestations of kinetosis ( motion sickness in a vehicle) In this case, the appearance of these symptoms is associated with impaired functioning of the vestibular apparatus. The symptoms of kinetosis are especially pronounced when driving at high speed.

Why is it laying ears during pregnancy?

  Ear congestion during pregnancy is often not a pathological condition. The main reasons are hormonal restructuring, a decrease in the reactivity of the body of a pregnant woman and susceptibility to the development of various infections. That is, the causes that cause ear congestion during pregnancy are not specific only to the period of pregnancy; the only difference is that the body of a pregnant woman can respond differently to them.

A change in the hormonal background may be accompanied by swelling of the mucous membranes, including the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. This is a favorable factor for the development of tubootitis, that is, the spread of swelling from the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx to the mucous membrane of the auditory tube and the narrowing of its lumen.

The body of a pregnant woman is also more sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure, in which there is a difference between the pressure in the tympanic cavity of the middle ear and atmospheric pressure, which is subjectively accompanied by a feeling of stuffy ears. Temporary congestion of the ears may occur due to a sharp turn of the head or tilt.

Rhinitis ( inflammation of the nasal mucosa) during pregnancy is a common occurrence. His treatment should be dealt with immediately to prevent complications from the ENT organs. When choosing treatment tactics, it is necessary to take into account that the drugs are not toxic to the fetus.

Any disease in the pregnant body can, one way or another, affect the fetus. Therefore, if a woman had problems with ear congestion even before pregnancy, then it is necessary to inform the doctor about this in order to pay attention to this situation, conduct a hearing examination and, if necessary, conduct treatment.

Why did the temperature and stuffiness of the ear appear?

The temperature rises in response to the penetration of pyrogens into the body, which can be bacteria, their components and waste products. Pyrogens affect the center of thermoregulation, which is located in the hypothalamus, and body temperature rises. The appearance of stuffy ears with an increase in body temperature most often indicates an infectious damage to the organ of hearing. Also, the cause may be a systemic infection or hematogenous introduction of infection from foci in other organs.

Pathological conditions in which the body temperature rises and congestion of the ears appears are:

• External auditory boil  passage, which is considered one of the forms of limited external otitis media. With severe intoxication of the body, there may be a sharp increase in body temperature with chills. The disease is accompanied by intense pain.
• Diffuse otitis externa. This disease is characterized by damage to the entire external auditory canal.
• Otitis media. With otitis media, the initial temperature may be subfebrile ( 37 - 38 degrees), and with the progression of the disease, it can reach 39 - 40 degrees.
• Sinusitis. Depending on the pathogenic agent, the temperature in sinusitis can be subfebrile or reach 39 degrees.
• Angina. Angina is an infectious disease characterized by damage to the tonsils. The causative agents of angina in most cases is B-hemolytic streptococcus. A complication of a sore throat may be the spread of infection to the mucous membrane of the pharynx and auditory tube. This, in turn, is accompanied by sore throat when swallowing, fever, nasal congestion.

Why is the ear swollen and stuffy?

  The appearance of congestion of the ear and swelling is a sign of the development of the inflammatory process in one of the departments of the ear. These symptoms can also be accompanied by pain, redness of the skin.

Swelling and stuffy ears may appear as a result of the following pathological conditions:

• Otitis externa  Is an inflammatory disease of the outer ear. In the acute stage of otitis externa, redness and inflammatory infiltration of the skin of the external auditory canal and auricle are observed, which is accompanied by its swelling. Depending on the degree of swelling, the lumen of the external auditory canal is narrowed to various degrees. In the depth of the external auditory meatus, an accumulation of desquamated ( desquamated) epithelium and pus, hyperemia of the tympanic membrane. Patients complain of hearing loss, stuffy ears, headache.
• Otitis media  Is an inflammatory disease of the middle ear. This disease is accompanied by increased secretion of mucus and its accumulation in the tympanic cavity, impaired ventilation function, limited mobility of the tympanic membrane.
• Mastoiditis. Mastoiditis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the mastoid of the temporal bone. With mastoiditis, swelling is noted behind the auricle, which is often hyperemic and painful. The causative agents of mastoiditis are pathogenic microorganisms. This pathological condition is one of the most frequent complications of acute purulent otitis media.
• Cholesteatoma. Cholesteatoma is a tumor formation located in the midbrain. In most cases, a cholesteatoma appears as a consequence of a chronic inflammatory process in the middle ear. Manifestations of cholesteatoma are purulent discharge from the ear with a specific odor, headache, aching pain in the ear, swelling around the auricle, hearing loss.

Can there be stuffy ears with osteochondrosis?

  Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. Patients often complain of stuffy ears with osteochondrosis. The mechanism of this phenomenon is not fully understood, but there are several theories that can explain the causes of ear congestion in osteochondrosis.

One of the main reasons for ear congestion in osteochondrosis is the development of vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis. This condition occurs due to compression of the vertebral arteries by the affected vertebrae, as a result of which the blood flow to the brain is weakened, which, in turn, is accompanied by headaches, tinnitus and stuffy ears, dizziness.
  Also, this symptom may appear as a result of compression of the roots of the spinal nerves. With cervical osteochondrosis, bone proliferation is often observed ( osteophytes) This, in turn, is accompanied by irritation of the sympathetic plexus and reflex spasm ( muscle contraction of the vascular wall) vertebral artery.

As a result, there is a violation of the blood supply and innervation of various departments of the auditory analyzer.

An effective method of combating stuffy ears with osteochondrosis is physiotherapy. As a result of performing special exercises, normalization of blood circulation, decompression of nerve roots, and reduction of the load on the spine occur, which helps to prevent complications.

If you constantly block your ear, you should treat your health and the condition of the ears, in particular, more carefully, since an inflammatory process is formed in the ear. The causes of this symptom are many, but only a qualified doctor can identify them.

It is necessary to determine why you constantly lay your ears as soon as possible, since the sooner you identify the cause of the inflammation, the faster you will be able to recover and the rehabilitation course will take less time.

Stuffed ears cause serious discomfort to the person., but in addition to this factor, it is worth paying attention to the state of health, as a serious inflammation is most likely to form in the ear.

Congestion of the ears appears in the process of the canal, which connects the nasopharynx and the ears are responsible for the function of regulating the pressure inside the body. In case of infection with viruses or bacteria, as well as with a strong change in blood or external pressure, a person has a feeling of stuffiness in the ears.

Additional reasons, if you often lay your ears, include the following factors:

1. Abrupt pressure change in the environment. This most often occurs while taking off an airplane or moving through mountainous terrain, as well as when abruptly diving to great depths or in the case of a jump under water. For some people, this factor may appear even with a small change, for example, when going down the subway.
2. Another common cause of stuffy ears is a runny nose.  This is due to the close connection of the Eustachian tube and the middle region of the ear. With edema that occurs in the middle ear, the auditory tube becomes obstructed, which causes a feeling of congestion.
3. If congestion in the ears is accompanied by pain, a sense of hearing loss, and other symptoms, it is necessary to verify the absence of otitis media.  You can verify this in the following way. Gently touch. If a person experiences severe pain, an inflammatory process forms in the ear and urgent measures must be taken.
4. A common cause of congestion is education.   sulfuric traffic jams. With excessive production of sulfur, as well as with improper hygiene or its complete absence in the ear canal, sulfuric deposits form, which can take up to seventy percent of the ear canal. As a result, the patient experiences congestion and loss of visual acuity.
5. Hypertension is a common cause of congestion.. Changes in blood pressure lead to severe spasms of blood vessels. This provokes the appearance of pain, dizziness and the formation of a feeling of congestion.
6. Check for foreign objects in your ear,  since small insects or household items can cause not only the formation of congestion, but also the appearance of severe pain and dizziness.
7. If congestion appears   after taking water procedures or swimming in lakes or rivers,  wipe your ear dry, as the liquid entering the ear canal causes not only hearing impairment, but also a favorable environment for the development of otitis media and other ear diseases.
8. Allergic reaction  is another cause of congestion. So, it can be caused by the use of antibiotics and other drugs for a long time.
9. Check the condition of the sinuses and tonsils,  since various neoplasms often cause this symptom.
10. If, in addition to congestion, you have begun to hear worse and cannot understand human speech from a short distance, you should conduct audiometry. You are likely to be diagnosed and prescribed treatment according to the diagnosis.

  If you are sure that there are no such reasons, you should pass a test for pregnancy, since in case of expectation of a child, these symptoms are a fairly common cause.

If there is a probability of the presence of at least one factor, it is necessary to diagnose and pass the appropriate tests.

Most often, an experienced doctor has enough external examination, but in some cases it is necessary to undergo examinations of the Eustachian tube, as well as tympanometry and.

What to do if you constantly lay your ear

Your actions before diagnosing inflammation are minimal.

After the examination, the doctor will independently prescribe a course of treatment that will correspond to the cause of the occurrence of congestion.

If the root cause of congestion is associated with a runny nose and colds, the doctor will prescribe vasoconstrictive drops.

Inject dosage according to dosage. After instillation into the nose, it is recommended to lie on your side so that the drops spread more quickly throughout the nasopharynx and relieve swelling.

If the cause of congestion is a change in pressure,  it is necessary to conduct a course of specialized exercises. First you need to actively yawn several times, and then venture to open your mouth wide and take a deep breath. In addition, it is necessary to clean the sinuses with specialized saline solutions or blow your nose.

Then do the next exercise.  Take a deep breath and hold your breath. At this time, with your palms close your mouth and nose. Breathe out, but since the air cannot escape, it will go through the Eustachian tube. Hearing a characteristic crack, you can exhale through your nose. Thus, you normalize the pressure in the auditory tube and get rid of congestion.

If the pressure change is due to take-off or landing of the aircraft, repeat active swallowing movements. Some people prefer using chewing gum.

In the case of the formation of a sulfuric plug in the ear canal, it is necessary to rinse the ear. If sulfur is soft and yellow, it is allowed to remove the cork at home.

To do this, instill the drug "" or "" in your ears following the indicated dosage. Sulfur does not always dissolve the first time, so repeat the procedure two more times.

  If you prefer turundas, moisten gauze flagellum abundantly with a solution of three percent hydrogen peroxide and insert into ears for 30-40 minutes, then rinse the ears with warm water. After this, the ear must be wiped dry.

If the cork is dark and old-fashioned, it is necessary to carry out a washing procedure.Entrust this method to specialists, since the independent implementation of this method is rather difficult to access.

If congestion occurs as a result of fluid ingress, remove moisture as soon as possible. To do this, jump on one leg until water flows out.

If this method is unsuccessful, enter turunda dipped in olive oil for fifteen minutes into the ear canal.  Using this method, you will get rid of excess moisture and avoid many unpleasant symptoms.

In case of congestion due to viral inflammation in the ears or the formation of otitis media, a comprehensive treatment is necessary. Most often, with otitis media, experts prescribe the following course of therapy:

• in case of an acute form of inflammation, antibiotics cannot be dispensed with - Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, Nirofets, Augmentin;
• to improve overall well-being and maintain the effect of antibiotics, ear drops are prescribed with the content of additional antibacterial components -   Candbiotic, Garazon, Otofa, Sofradeks;
• the introduction of alcohol solutions and lotions.

Prior to a complete cure and over the next two weeks, the patient must use vitamins and a large amount of water, as well as adhere to a calm rhythm of life.

Any drops for the ears must be applied in case of integrity of the eardrum.

In case of hypertension, it is necessary to take medications that lower blood pressure, as well as monitor your diet. Exclude spicy, floury and sweet ingredients from food.

Conclusion

If your ears are often blocked, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Remember that with this symptom, the body signals you the onset of the inflammatory process. The course of treatment should be comprehensive and consistent with the cause of the disease.

Do not take medications without the permission of a doctor and the established underlying cause of inflammation. Only after diagnosis and examination of the whole organism can a specialist make an individual course of treatment.

After recovery, you must adhere to a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle. Otherwise, you can provoke a relapse of the disease.

The main causes of stuffy ears lie in the differences in internal and external pressure on the eardrum. Excessive air pressure on the membrane stretches it, as a result of which the sound signal passing through the outer ear is not amplified. As a result, sound attenuation occurs, which leads to a feeling of stuffiness in the ears.

The lack of discomfort in the eardrum is possible only with absolute equality of internal and external pressure. Changes in the state of the membrane may be due to physiological and pathological factors that contribute to the formation of vacuum in the tympanic cavity. This inevitably leads to the appearance of a pressure difference, as indicated by ear plugging.

  Etiology

The eardrum is an airtight thin membrane that separates the middle ear cavity from the external auditory canal. It is one of the key components of the sound-conducting section of the auditory analyzer. The membrane is innervated by nerve branches from the major tympanic nerve, which communicates with the glossopharyngeal branch.

When creating excessive pressure on the ear membrane, there is a risk of the formation of perforated openings in it, leading to a sharp decrease in hearing.

The eardrum plays an important role in the transmission of sound waves to the structures of the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical impulses entering the brain. When stretched, the elasticity of the membrane naturally decreases, therefore, when an audio signal passes, it practically does not experience oscillations. For this reason, there is no amplification of sound, as indicated by congestion of the ears.

  Physiological reasons

Why is it laying ears? The occurrence of a symptom is not always due to systemic disorders or pathologies in the organ of hearing. Most often, the extension of the auricular membrane is due to the influence of physiological factors, which include:

• large physical exertion;
• fast rise in the elevator;
• regular flights;
• take fast trains;
• immersion in water;
• rapid rise in the mountains.

The above reasons for congestion of the ears due to destabilization of pressure on the ear membrane. A sharp increase in external pressure leads to indentation of the membrane into the ear, which contributes to the appearance of uncomfortable or painful sensations. To eliminate the symptom, experts recommend making several swallowing movements that open the mouth of the Eustachian tube, through which the middle ear is ventilated.

Common causes of ear plugging include the formation of sulfur plugs. If they completely block the ear canal, this leads to weakening of the hearing and the appearance of uncomfortable sensations. If sulfur plugs are found, you should seek help from an otolaryngologist who, using a special hook-shaped tweezers, will remove it from the ear canal.

  Pathological causes

Why is the ear blocked? Experts warn that the sudden onset of a symptom may be associated with malfunctions of the auditory analyzer or internal organs and systems. A feeling of congestion can be a sign of the development of the following diseases:

• eustachitis;
• otitis media;
• allergic rhinitis;
• cholesteatoma;
• auditory canal exostoses;
• otomycosis;
• sinusitis;
• inflammation of the auditory nerve;
• injuries
• otosclerosis;
• hypertension.

In most cases, the causes of nasal congestion without pain lie in the use of an excessive amount of medications with an ototoxic effect. Strong intoxication of the body leads to an increase in cell turgor, which is due to a violation of the processes of removing excess intercellular fluid from tissues. Thus, swelling of the mucous membranes occurs, which leads to blockage of the auditory tube and, accordingly, impaired ventilation of the middle ear.

To understand the main causes of discomfort in the organ of hearing, it is worth considering the most common causes of the development of ear pathologies. Timely elimination of diseases contributes to the relief of unpleasant symptoms, which include ear congestion.

  Allergic rhinitis

Why is it laying one ear? A common cause of nasal congestion is swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, provoked by rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx that occurs due to the penetration of allergens into the body. Provocateurs of the inflammatory process can be:

• animal hair;
• medications;
• food;
• volatile chemicals;
• pollen of plants.

Important! Untimely treatment of rhinitis can lead to the development of exudative otitis media, characterized by the accumulation of transudate in the ear and a sharp hearing impairment.

As a result of severe irritation of the ciliated epithelium, vasomotor processes occur in the nasopharynx, which lead to a change in vascular tone and an increase in their permeability. For this reason, the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx swells, which leads to blockage of the mouth of the Eustachian tube. As a result, ventilation of the ear cavity is disrupted, which leads to the formation of a vacuum in it. Thus, high atmospheric pressure causes the eardrum to be pulled into the ear, resulting in congestion.

  Eustachitis

Why is the ear blocked? What to do with congestion? According to statistics, very often uncomfortable sensations arise due to the development of eustachitis. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane in the auditory canal, the diameter of which does not exceed 2-2.5 mm. Catarrhal processes in the tissues lead to swelling and a decrease in the lumen in the auditory canal, as a result of which negative pressure forms in the middle ear.

In most cases, eustachitis occurs as a result of infection of the upper respiratory tract by pathogens. The danger of ENT disease is the high risk of pathogens getting into the auditory analyzer in the tubar way. This can lead to the development of acute otitis media and the occurrence of serious complications leading to the appearance of persistent hearing loss, mastoiditis, meningitis, etc.

  Injuries

Ear injuries are one of the possible causes of ear plugging and deformation of the ear membrane. The disturbed functioning of the main departments of the auditory analyzer leads to the development of pathological processes characterized by hearing loss, a sensation of transfusion of fluid in the ear cavity, etc. Why is the right ear blocked?

The causes of discomfort in the ears can be:

1. acoustic injuries - destruction of the tissues of the organ of hearing caused by prolonged exposure to super-strong sounds;
2. barotrauma - pathologies in the middle ear and membrane, resulting from a sharp change in external pressure;
3. vibration injuries - damage to the structures of the inner ear associated with prolonged exposure to strong vibrations;
4. mechanical injuries - physical damage to the soft and bone structures of the organ of hearing, leading to impaired conduct of sound signals by the eardrum and auditory ossicles.

  Stuffy ears

In most cases, the occurrence of an unpleasant symptom without pain is due to the absence of inflammatory processes in the tissues. Why is laying ears just like that? Uncomfortable sensations can occur with the development of such pathologies:

Important! Sensorineural hearing loss is treated only at the acute stage of development, which lasts no more than 1 month.

It should be noted that ignoring the problem is often the cause of the progression of pathologies. If congestion persists within a few days, you should seek help from a specialist. Timely examination and elimination of the causes leads to the restoration of normal hearing and the disappearance of discomfort.

  Congestion on swallowing

If you swallow ears when swallowing, this indicates the presence of inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx. In the absence of pathologies during swallowing, there is a contraction of the muscles responsible for opening the mouth of the Eustachian tube. Thus, air enters the cavity of the middle ear, which leads to equalization of internal and external pressure on the eardrum.

Why does the left ear block while swallowing? The occurrence of discomfort is associated with edema of the ciliated epithelium, as a result of which the mouth of the auditory tube does not open during swallowing, and accordingly, the ventilation of the tympanic cavity is impaired. Pathological processes are most often observed with:

• sinusitis;
• adenoids;
• pharyngitis;
• tonsillitis.

You can eliminate the symptom with the help of vasoconstrictor drops, which help to reduce tissue swelling. To restore the drainage and ventilation function of the auditory tube, nasal drops such as Nazonex, Galazolin, Nazivin, Avamis, Nasobek, etc. can be instilled twice a day.

Text: Svetlana Turchinova

Many, most likely, have encountered such a situation when, when climbing to a height, on an airplane, or when descending into the subway, it suddenly lays ears. Most often, pain is not felt, but there is also little pleasant. Therefore, it is important to find the cause of this phenomenon and learn how to deal with it correctly.

Stuffing Ears: Causes

If lays ears, causes  for this may be different. So, one of the main reasons can be a sharp pressure drop, which occurs both at high altitude and at depth. Under such conditions, the ear cannot be rebuilt so quickly, and the eardrum begins to be pressed into the Eustachian tube, balancing the pressure inside the auricle. Such a process leads to the fact that it puts ears. The reasons for this are in principle clear, after a while the congestion goes away, but the phenomenon itself may be accompanied by pain in some cases.

Less common, but nonetheless weighty reasons for ear plugging may be problems with some internal organs. The reasons may lie in a disease such as eustachitis, i.e. in the inflammatory process in the auditory tube of the ear. Most often, eustachitis occurs as a result of a cold or a simple cold. Therefore, if you lay your ears during a cold, it is best to seek advice from the ENT. Eustachiitis can also develop due to polyps in the nose, sinusitis, overgrown adenoids or curvature of the septum. Most often, such causes of eustachitis cause stuffy ears in children.

If you do not rise to a height or depth and you do not have a cold, but still have ears, the reasons may lie in hearing impairment - hearing loss. It occurs due to damage to the auditory nerve, to which blood flows poorly. Many do not pay attention to such a problem, although hearing impairment in noisy places and ear congestion are the main signs of such a disease.

Also, heart problems, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and a number of craniocerebral injuries can also be the cause of ear congestion.

Lays ears, but the reasons are still not clear? Then the fault may be otitis media, which you suffered in childhood. Because of it, commissures could form in the tympanic membranes, which led to a deterioration in their mobility. In this case, the problem of ear congestion should bother you constantly, and you need to see a doctor.

Lays ears - how to treat?

One must be very careful here, since the solution to this problem is directly related to its cause. If you only have ears when climbing to a height or when descending in the subway, then you most likely have no health problems, but it’s better to undergo a full examination by a doctor.

In this case, vasoconstrictive drops serve as an ambulance for ear congestion, they must be instilled into the nose, but this measure can only be used in extreme cases when the problem needs to be urgently resolved.

The most common measures in the fight against stuffy ears are the following:

• open your mouth several times in a row as if you were yawning;


• if the problem is still not resolved, close your mouth and pinch your nose and hold your breath;


• take a candy or candy and start sucking it, while actively swallowing saliva;


• in small sips, drink water;


• if your ears are blocked due to swimming at a depth, pinch your nose with your fingers and try to blow water out of your ear - such a measure will reduce pain, but if this happens again, you need to urgently see a doctor.

Everyone can have an earbud, but the reasons for this can be completely harmless and easily overcome, and can be associated with serious health problems. Treat yourself and your health responsibly and carefully, so you can protect yourself from many problems.

• 1 Causes of Ear Congestion without Pain
• 2 What diseases does it indicate?
• 3 Diagnostic measures
• 4 Treatment for congestion at home
• 5 Earbuds with nasal congestion: what to do?
• 6 Ailment during pregnancy: causes and treatment
• 7 Causes of Tinnitus

A congestion of the ear without pain can occur with a number of serious pathologies of the organ of hearing and damage to the brain. But there are physiological reasons for this condition. Congestion can be treated at home.

Causes of ear congestion without pain

To understand why it is laying ears, you need to understand the causes of these sensations. The appearance of the inflammatory process that occurs in the mucous membrane of the hearing organs is accompanied by edema. So the tissue increases in size, because of which it covers the auditory canal. Air ceases to pass from the middle ear to the nasopharynx, and pressure drops in the tympanic cavity. This is accompanied by a subjective feeling of congestion.

Often the causes of this condition are physiological and do not require treatment. These include sulfur plugs, water blockage, and atmospheric pressure drops during take-off and landing of the aircraft, rapid ascent by elevator or immersion in water. In the second case, it is enough to yawn slightly at the right time and the unpleasant sensation disappears. If sulfur plugs are present, they must be removed in the ENT office or on their own at home. If water gets into your ear, it is recommended to pull the lobe down and backwards, while tilting the sore side to the shoulder. Moisture will come out on its own and the unpleasant sensation will disappear.

What diseases does it indicate?

When the ears are blocked due to the presence of pathology, this requires serious treatment. Such diseases include:

• meningitis;
• injuries to the brain and bones of the skull;
• anomalies of the auditory analyzer;
• damage to the nasal septum;
• neoplasms of the auditory apparatus;
• sensorineural hearing loss;
• hypertonic disease;
• cardiopsychoneurosis;
• otitis media (inflammation in the middle ear);
• tubotimpanitis (inflammation of the tympanum and Eustachian tube);
• preceptive hearing loss (impaired perception of sounds);
• flu, acute respiratory infections;
• angina;
• measles.

All of these diseases require contacting a specialist and prescribing therapy. Most of them successfully pass with home treatment under the supervision of an ENT doctor.

Preservation of ear congestion for more than 2 days without the presence of pain and signs of infectious diseases is an occasion to contact the clinic.

When you postpone the visit, the risk of deafness increases.

Diagnostic measures

To determine the cause of discomfort, it is worth visiting an otorhinolaryngologist. At the reception, the doctor examines the auricles using a funnel. This painless procedure allows you to see the presence of inflammation and swelling of the soft tissues. If there is a suspicion of a pathology of the auditory analyzer, further studies are prescribed:

• audiometry - determines the level of hearing, the sensitivity of the analyzer and diagnoses sensorineural hearing loss;
• tympanometry - allows you to evaluate the functional activity of the auditory ossicles, membrane and the work of the middle ear in conducting impulses;
• computed tomography - is a layered analysis of the auditory zones of the cerebral cortex, as well as the temporal bones.

With a correctly conducted diagnosis, the cause of ear congestion is detected in 90% of cases. This allows you to competently build a treatment regimen and avoid possible complications.

Home Congestion Treatment

Treatment begins with a correct diagnosis by the doctor at the reception. He prescribes drugs, depending on the reason for which the ear was blocked. With a physiological problem - sulfuric plug, its removal is prescribed. It is held directly at the reception. If the problem recurs, you can remove the plug at home.

For this, cerumenolytics are used. They act on the sulfur plug, dissolving it and facilitating removal. Such medicines include A-Tserumen, Remo-Vax, Aqua Maris Oto. The budgetary tool for softening the cork is 3% hydrogen peroxide. It is poured into the ear with a syringe without a needle. The solution is left for several minutes, then removed with the cork.

In the presence of a pathological cause of ear congestion, drug treatment is used:

• antibiotics (amoxicillin) - used for otitis media with separation of pus;
• anti-inflammatory drugs (Otipaks, Sufradeks) - helps reduce edema with tubotympanitis;
• vasoconstrictors (xylometazoline) - relieve tissue swelling, improve the conductivity of sound vibrations;
• antimycotics (Amfoglucamine) - eliminates fungi from the ear cavity;
• antiviral (“Kagocel”, “Tamiflu”, “Remantadin”) - help with ear congestion associated with a viral infection.

Most diseases accompanied by a feeling of stuffiness in the ear are successfully treated at home under the supervision of a specialist.

Stuffing ears with nasal congestion: what to do?

With nasal congestion, discomfort in the ears often occurs. This is due to the reaction of the body, which tries to prevent the spread of infection to the organs of hearing. Edema arising from nasal congestion blocks the passage of air, seeded by pathogenic microorganisms, into the ear cavity. But the patient at the same time notes discomfort.

In order for the inflammation not to spread to the hearing organs, timely treatment of the nasopharynx disease that has arisen is required. Increased pressure in the middle ear presses on the eardrum, which contributes to the appearance of holes in it and hearing loss. Most often, such complications occur with:

• rhinitis;
• sinusitis;
• SARS, associated with frequent blowing.

To eliminate nasal congestion and prevent complications in the organ of hearing, several methods are used:

• antiviral or antibacterial drug therapy;
• sinus massage to facilitate mucus discharge effortlessly;
• warm compresses based on oils;
• the use of vasoconstrictor drops as a temporary measure to alleviate the condition;
• the use of ear drops to prevent the development of complications.

Subject to all the rules of treatment, the performance of the hearing organ will remain at the same level, and nasal congestion will pass without a trace.

Ailment during pregnancy: causes and treatment

Due to a change in the hormonal background during pregnancy, expectant mothers often block their ears, especially in the second trimester. Edema occurs in the tissues of all organs due to fluid retention, which affects the hearing. In the middle ear, pressure drops, which pulls the eardrum. She becomes concave, and the woman feels stuffy.

This condition is physiological, therefore, treatment is not required. As the hormonal background stabilizes, the discomfort recedes. To alleviate the condition of a pregnant woman, vasoconstrictive drops can be used. They also help relieve symptoms of physiological rhinitis, which can also cause ear congestion.

Causes of tinnitus

Tinnitus in the absence of external irritation of the hearing organs can occur for several reasons. Of these, ear diseases include:

• otitis;
• foreign body in the ear canal;
• otosclerosis;
• tympanic membrane injury (rupture);
• neoplasm of the hearing organs of a different nature;
• maze inflammation;
• hearing loss of various origins;
• inflammatory process in the nerve of the auditory analyzer.

Tinnitus can occur in the presence of diseases that are not related to the hearing system. Such pathologies include:

• atherosclerosis;
• hypertonic disease;
• endocrine pathologies (diabetes, thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis);
• narrowing of the yarmine veins and carotids;
• osteochondrosis;
• hepatitis of viral etiology;
• prolonged emotional stress;
• intoxication with some poisons of the industry;
• head injuries;
• fluid in the ear cavity.

Whatever the cause of the noise, this condition requires the intervention of a specialist to prescribe competent treatment.

To successfully get rid of discomfort in the ears at home, you need to establish the exact cause of this condition. Timely treatment started will help you quickly get rid of the feeling of congestion, avoid complications and keep your hearing at the same level.