Ear congestion in adults and children

A common complication of infectious diseases, colds and many other illnesses that disrupts the perception of sound information is ear congestion.

The ear consists of a peripheral and central part. The first includes the sound-conducting and sound-perceiving apparatus. The central part consists of nerve fibers that form conductive paths ending in the temporal lobes and the cerebral cortex. The range of human perception of sound vibrations is from 16 Hz to 20 kHz.

• The outer ear consists of the auricle and the external auditory canal. The eardrum acts as the boundary between the outer and middle ear.
• The middle ear is located in the thickness of the temporal bone and consists of the tympanic cavity, the Eustachian tube, and the cavity with the cells of the mastoid process. The tympanic cavity contains the auditory ossicles, which transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
• The inner ear (labyrinth) is located deep in the temporal bone. It consists of the cochlea and semicircular canals, which contain the sound-perceiving apparatus and receptor cells of the vestibular analyzer. The vestibular system is responsible for balance, muscle tone and body position in space.

The human ear has a complex structure. Because of this, the action of certain factors can cause the auditory canal to become blocked. This leads to a change in intra-ear pressure and congestion. The painful condition occurs with a feeling of heaviness in the head, noise, headaches.

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Causes stuffy ears

There are many factors that can cause ear congestion. Let's look at the main causes of this pathology:

• Colds.
• Otitis media.
• Sharp jumps in blood pressure.
• Change in atmospheric pressure.
• Sulfur plug.
• Runny nose.
• Foreign objects in the ear canal, water leakage.
• Tumor lesions of the auditory nerve and brain.
• Otosclerosis.
• Hormonal disorders.
• Deviated nasal septum.
• Impaired mobility of the temporomandibular joint.
• Allergic reactions to medications, food and more.
• Meniere's disease (metabolic disorders causing loss of coordination and hearing).
• Deficiency of nutrients in the body.

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Risk factors

Ear congestion occurs due to many factors and causes, which complicates the diagnostic process. Let's look at the main risk factors for this painful condition:

• Increased production of ear secretions and formation of earwax.
• Runny nose.
• Colds and flu.
• Cervical osteochondrosis.
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
• Sinusitis.
• Acute pharyngitis.
• Angina.
• External, middle, exudative otitis.
• Allergic reactions.
• High blood pressure.
• Traumatic damage to the ear structure and nasal septum.
• Flight on an airplane.
• Immersion in water.

Blockage of the auditory canal may indicate pathological processes in the sound analyzer or adjacent organs. If the ears are blocked regularly, there is a risk of developing hearing loss. Disorders can develop with damage to the cardiovascular system, exacerbations of chronic diseases.

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Pathogenesis

The most common causes of ear canal blockage include inflammatory processes. In this case, the pathogenesis of ear congestion is associated with the action of pathogenic microorganisms: streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci. Viruses, Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and fungi also act as infection agents.

A decrease in the body's overall resistance leads to the development of respiratory diseases, which occur with inflammatory processes in different parts of the upper respiratory tract and nasopharynx. Due to swelling of the mucous membrane and the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube, ventilation of the middle ear is disrupted. This triggers inflammatory processes in the ear cavity.

The mechanism of hearing loss development may be associated with the transfer of pathogenic microflora of the nasopharynx to the auditory tube. In case of injuries and damage to the eardrum, the infection penetrates transtympanically. Also, congestion occurs due to chronic diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses, which disrupt the respiratory and protective functions of the organ.

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Epidemiology

The most common diseases of the ENT organs include inflammatory processes localized in the ear canal. According to medical statistics, children are more likely to face this problem. Also at risk are people whose activities are associated with frequent flights, diving, and exposure to increased background noise. In 5% of cases, the impairment of perception of sound information develops into one of the forms of hearing loss.

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Symptoms

As a rule, if your ears are blocked, it is a sign of various diseases and pathological conditions. Congestion can occur against the background of other pathological symptoms:

• Ear pain
• A feeling of noise, ringing, splashing
• Itching and discharge from the ear
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Elevated body temperature.

Ear congestion in a child

Children most often face ENT diseases. Ear congestion can occur due to the following reasons:

• Inflammatory processes.
• Earwax plugs.
• Dysfunction of the auditory tube.
• Runny nose.
• High blood pressure.
• Deviated nasal septum.
• Foreign bodies in the ear canal.
• Getting liquid into the ear.
• Long-term drug therapy.
• Flight by plane, sudden change of climate.

Unpleasant symptoms may be accompanied by dull and pressing pain, dizziness, nasal congestion, a sensation of a foreign body in the ears, weakness, sleep disturbances and loss of appetite.

During the diagnostic process, the doctor collects anamnesis, conducts a visual examination of the patient, as well as various instrumental and laboratory studies. Treatment depends on the results of the diagnostics.

If the baby has a sulfur plug, the doctor removes it in a hospital setting and rinses the ear canal with a medicinal solution. In case of dysfunction of the auditory tube, the underlying cause of the pathology is eliminated, decongestants and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. If the hearing loss is associated with a runny nose, vasoconstrictor nasal drops and rinsing the nasal sinuses with a solution of sea salt will help. In case of otitis with a high temperature, antibacterial agents and antiseptic drops are prescribed; if there is no temperature, compresses and warming up will help. In case of a deviated nasal septum, surgical treatment is indicated.

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Ear congestion during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the female body faces serious changes that can be accompanied by various painful symptoms. These symptoms include ear congestion, auphonia (incorrect perception of one's own voice), and pain.

Causes of auditory canal obstruction:

• Pressure surges.
• Deficiency of nutrients in the body.
• Runny nose.
• Otitis.
• Earwax plugs.
• Gaining weight too quickly.

Another possible cause of the disorder is a natural increase in the overall blood volume and blood flow rate due to hormonal changes. Discomfort can occur in one ear or both at the same time, and at any stage of pregnancy.

Ear congestion during pregnancy should not be left without medical attention. If, after diagnostics, inflammatory, infectious and other pathological causes are established, then complex therapy is carried out. In other cases, the woman is prescribed vitamins, a balanced diet, adequate rest and control over weight gain.

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Stages

If ear congestion is left without medical help, it will lead to hearing gradually deteriorating. This pathological process has several stages. They differ in severity and can last for several years, causing the development of hearing loss.

• Mild – at this stage, the hearing ability is slightly reduced. The ear detects a hearing threshold of 26-40 dB. A person clearly hears and understands speech at a distance of 4-6 meters. But if speech is accompanied by extraneous sounds and noises, then its perception is difficult.
• Average - the hearing threshold is from 41 to 55 dB. Conversational speech is perceived at a distance of 2-4 meters, and a whisper - no more than 1 meter. The patient asks the interlocutor to repeat himself, and extraneous noise is not perceived.
• Severe – hearing loss progresses, hearing threshold is 56-70 dB. Speech is perceived at a distance of no more than 1-2 meters, whispers and noise are not intelligible. The person has difficulty communicating. At this stage of hearing loss, disability of the 3rd degree is assigned.
• Very severe – according to the audiogram, the sound threshold increases to 71-90 dB. Loud speech is not perceived, the person hears screaming and speech amplified by headphones.
• Deafness is the final stage of hearing loss. Audiometry is above 91 dB. A person does not perceive sounds without a hearing aid.

Treatment depends on the causes of the pathological condition and the stage of hearing loss. In the early stages, drug therapy, a course of physiotherapy procedures are carried out, and hearing aids are also possible. All patients are shown a gentle diet, refusal of alcohol and nicotine, and individual selection of antibacterial drugs.

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Forms

The ear has a unique and complex structure. It consists of an outer, middle and inner part, which interact with each other. According to medical statistics, about 5% of the world's population suffers from various forms of hearing loss due to past illnesses.

Let's look at the main types of ear congestion depending on the factors that caused it:

1. Congenital – occurs due to anatomical or physiological malformations of the ear structures. It can be hereditary or be a component of a developmental disorder syndrome (sensorineural hearing loss, microtia, etc.).
2. Infectious - ear diseases caused by inflammatory processes as a response to the action of pathogenic microorganisms, fungi. Acute pathologies are characterized by a sharp progression of symptoms. Chronic diseases develop due to untimely or incorrect treatment and can accompany a person for many years.
3. Traumatic – occurs due to head and ear cavity injuries, mechanical impact. Can be a complication of various injuries. For example, with improper hygiene of the ear cavity or too loud sounds, there is a risk of injury to the eardrum.

Impaired perception of auditory information is classified according to severity, duration and the presence of accompanying symptoms.

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Diagnostics stuffy ears

To determine the causes and factors that provoked the blockage of the auditory tube and hearing loss, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out. The otolaryngologist collects anamnesis and examines the patient. To clarify the diagnosis, a set of laboratory and instrumental studies is used.

A comprehensive diagnostic approach allows us to identify inflammatory processes in the ear structures, determine the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs. During the study, complications are excluded/confirmed. Based on the results of the diagnostics, a treatment plan is drawn up.

Tests

Laboratory diagnostics for impaired perception of auditory information is carried out in the presence of complications. The patient is prescribed the following tests:

• General and biochemical blood analysis.
• Urine analysis.
• Microscopic and bacteriological analysis of discharge from the ear.

Based on the test results, the otolaryngologist adjusts the treatment plan and monitors the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Another mandatory component of diagnostics for hearing loss is instrumental methods:

• Otoscopy is an examination of the external auditory canal and eardrum using an otoscope.
• Audiometry is a study of hearing when there is a suspicion of hearing loss, determining the reaction to sounds of different frequencies.
• CT, MRI, X-ray – performed if there is a suspicion of intraosseous or intracranial complications, purulent processes.
• Tympanometry is a test of the mobility of the eardrum and middle ear ossicles.
• Vestibular tests – reveal damage to the inner ear and are aimed at assessing balance and dizziness.
• Tympanocentesis (tympanopuncture) – a puncture of the eardrum is necessary to determine the contents of the tympanic cavity. It is performed in case of exudative or purulent otitis.

The results of the above studies allow us to make a final diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan.

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MRI for ear congestion

Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to study the structures of the ear and identify the smallest changes in their work. Tomography images determine all the details of the ear cavity in various projections.

The main indications for MRI are:

• Hearing loss.
• Regular headaches and dizziness.
• Itching and redness of the ears.
• Elevated body temperature.
• Sore throat and nasal cavity.
• Discharge of exudate from the ears.
• Inflammatory processes in the tissues of the auditory nerve.
• Disorders of vestibular functions.
• Tumors and metastases from other organs.
• Deformations with destruction of bone structures.
• Complications of inflammatory processes.

There are a number of indirect signs that indicate problems with the inner ear: facial nerve anemia, loss of balance, changes in facial muscle tone.

MRI is a painless and safe procedure. During the examination, the patient is placed on his back and placed inside the tomograph, in which an electromagnetic field is created. For more accurate visualization, intravenous administration of contrast (gadolinium salt) is possible.

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Differential diagnosis

Ear congestion occurs due to various factors and reasons. Differential diagnostics allows identifying the root cause of the disorder and separating it from pathologies with similar symptoms.

Impaired perception of auditory information is differentiated from:

• Bacterial otitis.
• Allergic otitis.
• Eczema.
• Otomycosis.
• New growths.
• Inflammatory processes of the outer and middle ear.

In the differentiation process, a complex of laboratory and instrumental methods is used.

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Treatment stuffy ears

Treatment of ear congestion is carried out in combination with therapy of the underlying pathology that caused the disturbance in the perception of sound information. Let's consider effective methods for eliminating common causes of the symptom:

• If water gets into your ear, you can use a cotton swab to absorb excess fluid. Tilt your head to the side and jump on one leg (left ear – right leg, right ear – left leg).
• When there are changes in atmospheric pressure during a flight or an elevator, push your lower jaw forward and make circular movements. Sucking on candy or chewing gum, yawning, swallowing saliva, or simply keeping your mouth slightly open will also help.
• In case of wax plug, insect or foreign body, you should consult a doctor. It is not recommended to try to clean the ear canal on your own using oils, peroxides and other solutions. When using cotton swabs, there is a risk of damaging the eardrum.
• If the congestion is caused by a runny nose, then each nasal passage should be cleared in turn. For this, you can use an isotonic solution of sea salt, vasoconstrictor drops. If the cause of the runny nose is an allergy, then decongestant (antihistamine) drugs will help.

In case of hearing impairment due to head injuries, tumors or chronic diseases of the body, a thorough diagnosis is carried out, based on the results of which a treatment plan is drawn up.

Complications and consequences

Ear congestion is a symptom of many diseases. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, there is a risk of developing serious consequences and complications:

• Hearing loss.
• Deafness.
• Lesions of the vestibular apparatus.
• Ruptured eardrum.
• Filling of the ear cavity with purulent masses.
• Intracranial complications (meningitis, brain abscess, hydrocephalus).
• Facial nerve paresis.
• Mastoiditis.
• Cholesteatoma and others.

The blockage of the auditory canal significantly reduces the quality of life and ability to work. Correct and timely treatment of any diseases of the body and preventive measures reduce the risk of developing the above pathologies.

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Noise after ear congestion

The appearance of noise, squelching, congestion and other unpleasant sensations in the ear most often occurs at the moment of a strong jump in blood pressure or a change in arterial pressure (during a flight or dive, ascent to a high altitude).

Another possible cause of the disorder is inflammatory and infectious processes in the nasopharynx, earwax plugs, foreign objects or liquid getting into the ear, head injuries. The unpleasant condition occurs with tumor formations, and can also be a sign of neurological abnormalities.

Treatment depends on the diagnostic results and the causes of the disorder. In order to minimize the risk of developing noise and congestion, it is necessary to avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises, if necessary, use earplugs or headphones. You should also monitor your blood pressure, balance your diet, give up bad habits, avoid stress, and take medications only as prescribed by a doctor.

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We washed my ear, but the congestion remained

A treatment measure aimed at removing a foreign body or earwax from the ear canal, treatment of purulent otitis is rinsing. The procedure is performed by an ENT doctor using special instruments and solutions in a hospital setting.

If performed correctly, the procedure is absolutely painless, does not cause complications and contributes to a significant improvement in hearing. In some cases, patients note that after washing, the perception of sound information returns to normal within 1-2 days.

But if you have washed your ear and the congestion remains, this may indicate a progressive inflammatory or other pathological process that requires careful and comprehensive diagnostics.

Prevention

Elimination of risk factors are the main preventive measures for frequent ear diseases and congestion. Prevention consists of preventing hypothermia, water and foreign objects from getting into the ear area. It is necessary to promptly treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract and any other pathologies of the body.

Also, do not forget about a hat in the cold season and cleaning the ear canal after immersion in water. It is important to maintain hygiene, that is, rinsing the nasal sinuses and cleaning the ear canals from sulfur.

Another component of prevention is strengthening the immune system and vaccination. Strong immunity resists frequent inflammatory and infectious diseases, which in most cases lead to ear pain and impaired perception of sound information.

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Forecast

In most cases, ear congestion has a positive prognosis, as it goes away after the causes and factors that provoked it are eliminated. If the disorder is one of the complications of otitis or other diseases of the body, then its outcome depends on the timely diagnosis and effectiveness of treatment of the underlying pathology.