Ear pressure can be an unpleasant sensation.
You might notice fullness, stuffiness, muffled hearing, or pain within your ear.
Earwax Buildup
Earwax buildupis another possible cause of ear pressure.
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When wax collects, it can cause a blockage against the eardrum.
A healthcare provider canremove earwaxmanually.
There are also over-the-counter ear drops that help break up the wax.
Never remove earwax with a cotton swab; this approach can push the wax deeper into the ear.
You may develop sinus congestion if you have a viral infection, asinus infection, or allergies.
There are different types ofear infections.
This pop in of ear infection commonly affects children.
It’s triggered by a bacterium or virus in the middle ear.
Symptoms might include ear pain, trouble hearing, and drainage from the ear.
Antibiotics are sometimes used to clear a middle ear infection.
Treatment options include antifungal medicines, ear drops, creams, or ointments.
Cleaning the fungal debris from the ear canal and keeping the ear dry can also help fight fungal infections.
Swimmers Ear
Swimmers earrefers to an outer ear and ear canal infection.
An infection (like the common cold) or swimming in water that contains bacteria can cause it.
Symptoms may include ear pain, hearing loss, itching, or drainage from the ear.
Antibiotic ear drops, oral antibiotics, or steroids are treatment options.
Menieres Disease
Menieres diseaseis a condition that causes dizzy spells known as vertigo.
Theres no cure for Menieres disease, but healthcare providers often prescribe medicines to help withvertigo.
A healthy diet low in salt may also help alleviate symptoms.
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatomais an abnormal growth or cyst that gets trapped behind your eardrum.
A healthcare provider will surgically remove the growth or cyst.
If the tumor is small or is not causing symptoms, a healthcare provider may monitor it.
Other treatment options for acoustic neuromas are surgery or radiation therapy.
Chronic Otitis Media
Chronic otitis mediarefers to ear infections that keep coming back.
A hole in the eardrum that does not heal in six weeks is considered chronic ear infections.
You may need to take antibiotics for several months for chronic otitis media.
A healthcare provider can suction the fluid; surgery to repair the eardrum is sometimes necessary.
TMJ problems may cause pain in the ears, jaw, cheeks, head, neck, and teeth.
TMJ discomfort will often go away on its own.
However, you may require medications, surgery, injections, physical therapy, or an oral mouth guard.
Surgical Procedures for Chronic Ear Pressure
Some medical procedures can help treat chronic ear pressure.
A small tube is often placed into the hole to help encourage drainage.
This procedure can help treat persistent fluid buildup in the ear.
Ear Tubes
Ear tubesare small tubes surgically placed in the eardrum to help drain fluid.
They are often inserted as part of a myringotomy procedure.
Most ear tubes will fall out on their own after 1236 months.
Usually, medications, home remedies, or even surgical procedures can help relieve the pressure.
See a healthcare provider if the pressure becomes extremely painful or lasts long.
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