Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Have Blocked Ear And Feeling Dizzy. Found Thin Tubes At The Back Of The Ear. Proper Diagnosis?
Question: Hello,
My name is XXXXXXX, I was hoping you can help me. I have had blocked ears since August. But the last week or so they have got much worse. My hearing is down to about 50% and they are quite sore. If i try to clear them by holding my nose and blowing nothing happens as they are so full or you get is a hight pitched screech or crackle. There is no wax in my ear as i have had this checked by a clinic and the 1st part of the ear looks fine. I have been told that it is the thin tubes at the back of the earn that might be closing or getting blocked which is causing the problem. As i have always had peferct hearing i am really worried due to the fact i have my own business etc. It is causing my to feel dizzy and my head to be reall tight. I am now waiting to another consultant but don't know how long it will take and really need some help ASAP. Can you help?
Thank you
XXXXXXX
My name is XXXXXXX, I was hoping you can help me. I have had blocked ears since August. But the last week or so they have got much worse. My hearing is down to about 50% and they are quite sore. If i try to clear them by holding my nose and blowing nothing happens as they are so full or you get is a hight pitched screech or crackle. There is no wax in my ear as i have had this checked by a clinic and the 1st part of the ear looks fine. I have been told that it is the thin tubes at the back of the earn that might be closing or getting blocked which is causing the problem. As i have always had peferct hearing i am really worried due to the fact i have my own business etc. It is causing my to feel dizzy and my head to be reall tight. I am now waiting to another consultant but don't know how long it will take and really need some help ASAP. Can you help?
Thank you
XXXXXXX
Hi
Thanks for posting the query
The symptoms described by you are the features of acute otitis media secondary to the cold or flu, the mucosa of the nose and the throat gets congested leading to blockage of the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear). The blockage of the tube induces negative pressure inside the middle ear causing earache and ear block.
The crackling noise heard during yawning and swallowing is because of the opening & closing of the Eustachian tube.
The aim should be to treat the cause. You need to follow the below measures in order to get relief from these problems.
1. Drink plenty of warm water –this helps in improving the blood supply and hence reduces the edema around the Eustachian tube.
2. Avoid smoking/chilled beverages/alcohol/coffee till you recover completely – all these will cause dryness of the mucosa and impair the normal ciliary movements in the nose and Eustachian tube.
3. Use saline nasal spray to open up the Eustachian tube, followed by steam inhalation 3-4 times a day – the former and the latter will help in relieving the edema around the Eustachian tube and thus help in opening up the clogged ears and tinnitus.
4. A mucolytic such as bromhexine or ambroxol will help in thinning out the nasal secretions and the secretions in the middle ear.
5. If the symptoms persist consult a good ENT specialist for a complete evaluation and management.
Hope I have answered your queries; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Thanks for posting the query
The symptoms described by you are the features of acute otitis media secondary to the cold or flu, the mucosa of the nose and the throat gets congested leading to blockage of the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear). The blockage of the tube induces negative pressure inside the middle ear causing earache and ear block.
The crackling noise heard during yawning and swallowing is because of the opening & closing of the Eustachian tube.
The aim should be to treat the cause. You need to follow the below measures in order to get relief from these problems.
1. Drink plenty of warm water –this helps in improving the blood supply and hence reduces the edema around the Eustachian tube.
2. Avoid smoking/chilled beverages/alcohol/coffee till you recover completely – all these will cause dryness of the mucosa and impair the normal ciliary movements in the nose and Eustachian tube.
3. Use saline nasal spray to open up the Eustachian tube, followed by steam inhalation 3-4 times a day – the former and the latter will help in relieving the edema around the Eustachian tube and thus help in opening up the clogged ears and tinnitus.
4. A mucolytic such as bromhexine or ambroxol will help in thinning out the nasal secretions and the secretions in the middle ear.
5. If the symptoms persist consult a good ENT specialist for a complete evaluation and management.
Hope I have answered your queries; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2543 Questions
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
