Plugged Ear

Updated on March 13, 2013
A.C. asks from Atlanta, GA
9 answers

I woke up this morning with my right ear basically completely plugged. I have no idea why. I can hardly hear out of it! I don't have any particular sinus pressure (I'm getting over a cold, but the symptoms are almost gone). It didn't hurt in the beginning, but it is beginning to ache this afternoon from the pressure. I tried holding my nose and gently blowing it out, but it began to hurt so I stopped. Is there any way to unplug it? Any tricks to this? It has never happened to me long-term before!

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So What Happened?

Turned out to be sinus pressure, either from allergies or another small cold on top of the first one. It disappeared the next morning, then came back, then disappeared, on and off again for another week and then all gone! I used Nettles capsules to combat it, fairly successfully.

More Answers

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J.W.

answers from Honolulu on

You probably have an ear infection. I would see a Dr. before trying any methods offered on this website to clear your ear. I would hate for something to happen to your hearing permanently because you try a wacky "what my grandma used to tell me to do" tip! Feel better soon! :)

6 moms found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Go see your doctor ASAP! That happened to me once, after waiting out a cold/sinus infection. I thought the sinus infection had started to pass and my blocked hearing was due to an ear infection. I went to the doctor who immediately gave me a shot of antibiotics, a prescription for an oral antibiotic and insisted on doing an adjustment on my neck. See, my cold was a sinus infection and my sinus infection wasn't gone, but simply had shifted and was closing my ear canal. I was about 48 hours away from permanent hearing loss.
Go see your doctor and don't risk your hearing by trying to cure yourself at home.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

Order/ make some very spicy Chinese/Mexican food-this turns everything in your sinuses to water. Then, take a Styrofoam cup, wet a paper towel, place the paper towel in the cup, microwave this for 45 sec or so and hold the cup up to your ear-don't burn yourself-these two remedies might help-good luck and feel better!

1 mom found this helpful
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D..

answers from Miami on

Go to the doctor. I hope you can find an ENT. It's really important.

Good luck!
Dawn

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I find that a warm saline rinse of my nose with a neti pot can do a lot to relieve pressure in my ears.
If you are taking any decongestants - stop taking them.
They thicken the fluid and make it harder for your ears to clear.
Try taking Mucinex or Robitussin - an expectorant - to help keep the fluid thinned out.
Drink plenty of fluids.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Seattle on

Maybe try a decongestant like sudafed or chewing gum? If that doesn't work call the nurses.
L

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I would go to the Doctor, because: you are now having pain.
And you are still sick.
It may seem like you are over the cold, but as long as you still have any symptoms, you are still sick.

Blowing out while holding your nose will damage your ear drums.
Please don't do that.
Go to the Doctor.

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son had this happen last month. It lasted about 2 weeks. We went to the dr twice, tried OTC drops & antibiotics with no luck. And the dr said he could see nothing visually wrong. No infection, swelling, wax, etc.
Then one day we drove from our house (at the base of the mountain) to a city near the beach. The altitude difference has to be at least 1000 feet plus. And all of a sudden his ear popped and he was fine!
I'm not sure if this would work for you of not, but maybe take a drive up (or down) from where you are now.

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