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Suggest Treatment For Enlarged Ear Canals After Using Large Ear Plugs

Posted on Sat, 23 May 2015

Question: Hi I have a rather unusual problem. Over three years ago I was using the heroes XXL earplugs, they are very large foam ear plugs, I used them for about 3 months every night and they seemed to stretch my ear canals out to the size of these ear plugs when fully expanded. I can't seem to find any info of this happening to anyone else!

I've had noise sensitivity for most my life and have always relied upon ear plugs, now I am afraid to use them and can now only use the putty ones as all ear plugs are now too small for me! Eat plugs also seem to hurt my ears now when I use them and I am about to get some custom moulded ones. Is there anything that can be done to restore my ear canals to their normal size? Please if anyone could reply to this as it is rather distressing to think that this can happen and be permanent as it now seems to be. I live in the UK, is this an ENT or cosmetic surgeon problem.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It would get better

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

Thanks for writing.

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. I have read you question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

You problem is common in people who use large ear plugs.

It's treatment is simple, avoid using them and switch to small ear plugs .

In my opinion you ear canal size with reduce itself with time. It mag not reach the old previous but is expected to get much better.

If it doesn't get better enough an ENT surgeon can help.

But i would like to assure you that even if you don't do anything for that it will not create any problems for you in future.

Will just stay as a thing about which just you would know no one else

I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer.Otherwise rate and close the discussion

Regrads.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.

M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)

Resident M.D.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (11 hours later)

Thanks for reply I was hoping the problem would resolve itself but it hasn't so far and it's been over 3 years now. I have just bought custom made ear plugs which will keep my ear canals open to the size they are now. I haven't been wearing ear plugs since it happened as the small ones just fall out now but I need them currently to be able to sleep.

Do you know what an ENT surgeon could do to resolve the problem and where I can find info for this online? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You have to consider everything before surgery

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,

Thanks for writing back.

You can read about ear canal reconstruction surgery online. Though ear canals are usually reconstructed in case of mal formation not in case of any abnormal size,

I understand your concern an

ENT surgeon can reconstruct the ear canal , but for that you have to ask your self a few things,

1) Can you live fine with this sized ear canals? (many people in the world naturally have large ear canals)

2) Do they cause any cosmatic concern?

3) Do they cause any problem in your normal functioning?

4) Is it really worth getting a big invasive surgery done with all it's risks.

5) Are benefits of surgery more or risks?

Then you will reach an answer.

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad

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