What Causes Muffled Hearing Along With Pressure In The Ears?

Posted on Thu, 7 Sep 2017

Question: Is there anything that can be done about my feeling of muffled hearing and ear fullness in my right ear that is driving me crazy. If I have large movement of my ear drum to pressure that makes my eardrum vibration much bigger than normal is that able to be relieved at all?

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Muffled hearing

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare magic and thanks for putting up the query
you are probably having eustachian tube blockage leading to pressure in the ears and hence all the symptoms.
Please tell me do you have any history of nasal congestion or throat infection in the recent past?
Any hearing loss?
Any popping in the ears?
Any frequent nasal infections?
Follow up with the required information so that I can suggest you better.
Take care
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (39 hours later)

In the recent past, I've had no noticeable hearing loss or popping in the ears unless I yawn. No frequent nasal infections, the last sickness I had was over a year ago. The fullness and slight loss of hearing started a week after I flew back from England. After the trip, I did actually feel some slight cold/allergy symptoms but it mostly disappeared around 5 days after getting back. A week after getting back, I was watching T.V after smoking marijuana (which is legal here) and I noticed a fullness in my right ear. The next morning, I noticed it more and it caused me to go into a panic. It's been a week and a half now and it still hasn't gotten very noticeably better. Also, when I went to the ENT, i was diagnosed with conductive hearing loss as well. At night and sometimes during the day, I feel fluid in my affected ear especially when lying down. I was also diagnosed with TMJ by my dentist and my most recent ENT which could contribute to the ear fullness and occasional aches but I am not too sure. Could it just be Eustacihian Tube blockage or a sudden hearing loss that could be permanent that I have to adjust to?

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube blockage

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the information.
As per the complaints it seems to be an eustachian tube blockage leading to pressure in the ears and hence Fullness and conductive hearing loss.
Please get a x-ray paranasal sinuses done and an impedance audiometry done.
The eustachian tube blockage can be managed medically and if medical management doesn't work, surgical intervention is required. The hearing loss due to eustachian tube blockage is reversible.
Take a combination of levocetrizine and pseudoephedrine two times a day and xylometazoline nasal drops three times a day for a week.
All the medicines I have prescribed will be available at prescription only.
Take care
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (36 hours later)

I have just uploaded the audiometry reports to my profile, one from 2012 and the other from just a few days ago. The one in 2012 shows equal hearing in both ears in the normal range and the recent one has a loss in some frequencies in the right ear. Also, the pressure test in the recent one (no tympanometry from 2012) was a bit worrisome. Any feedback that tells what can be going on is greatly appreciated. One last thing- i did have tubes in my ears for the one in 2012 but currently i do not have tubes. Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube blockage

Detailed Answer:
Hi
The reports are not available. Please upload the pictures in the reports section again.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (12 hours later)

Ok, just did again. I clicked on "upload new reports" and uploaded two pictures.

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube blockage

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the pictures.
Your audiometry report shows normal hearing but the impedance shows there is some middle ear pathology possibly a eustachian tube blockage. In case of any other abnormality, there must be some hearing loss at least on Audiometry.
You should get a x-ray paranasal sinuses done and take a combination of levocetrizine and pseudoephedrine twice daily and xylometazoline nasal drops three times a day for a week. Please tell me if you feel any improvement.
In case there is no change, you should get a microscopic examination of the ear done.
All the medicines I have prescribed will be available at prescription only.
Take care
Thanks and regards

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. Kampana