You try swallowing hard and yawning but it’s no use, your ears are clogged and there’s nothing you can do about it. You’ve attempted opening your ear canal with your finger, popping your ears, and chewing gum. Sooner or later, you might think about giving up and just keep your fingers crossed your ear unclogs on its own. But if you have discharge, discomfort, or the symptoms of an ear infection, this would be a bad idea.
A little passageway that connects the middle ear to the place behind the nose and regulates the pressure to the ears, called the eustachian tube, will become clogged if it stays open or closed for too long. You may hear a popping and crackling noise in your ears as this tube opens and closes when you swallow or yawn. A , virus or sinus infection could possibly cause the ear to remain closed, while hormonal changes can make the ear stay open. It may take your ears a while to return to normal but both problems will recede with time.
Blocked ears can also be caused by a buildup of earwax. This type of ear blockage can be eliminated with treatments, depending on the severeness, this can be at home or at the hearing specialist. Here are some suggestions when dealing with blocked ears:
Try Drops of Hydrogen Peroxide in Your Ear
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to break up earwax clogs, but it must be put in your ear correctly. Mixing the peroxide with luke warm water and using a pipette to carefully put it in your ear is the specialist’s recommendation. After you turn your ear upward and put the drops in, a few seconds should be sufficient to dissolve the wax clog. Eventually, the blockage should clear but you might have to repeat the process for a few days.
Never Clean Your Ear by Sticking Something inside it
Seriously, this is worth repeating: don’t use a cotton swab to try to unblock your ear, because you will only cause things to get worse. Cotton swabs can cause total blockage by pushing the earwax against the eardrum. Even hearing aids and earplugs can, in fact, result in an earwax clog. Cotton swabs should only be used on your outer ear so that you can avoid causing blockage.
Pay Attention to Your Allergies
Clogged ears are often made worse by allergies. Take your allergy medicines and follow your doctor’s advice on how to deal with it. Steer clear of any unnecessary allergens, especially during allergy season.
If a Remedy Sounds Odd, Stay Clear of it
You should not stick a lit candle in your ear which should go without saying. Ear candling is an old and very unscientific technique of clearing earwax by putting a hollow candle in your ear and lighting it. Theoretically, earwax is pulled into the hollow space inside the candle when the heat of the flame creates a vacuum. This approach will likely cause more harm and probably won’t help at all. If something doesn’t seem right, it most likely isn’t and it’s best to consult a professional. Don’t risk damaging your hearing by simply trying anything.
You should contact us if all else fails. Incorrect wax removal can trigger serious problems in your ears, like a burst eardrum or permanent hearing loss.
