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What Causes Clogged Ears While Suffering From Cold?
Posted on
Sun, 8 Mar 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 8 Mar 2015
Answered on
Mon, 30 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello, i have had a bad cold for about a week, and today my ears became clogged. I held my nose and blew to clear them but it only worked for one. The other one will not unclog and it's really bothering me. What can I do?
Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation, OTC Nasal decongestion drops, examination, medication.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This is common after a bad cold. The Eustachian Tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose fails to function leading to the ear being clogged.
2. Ideally, a ear drum examination coupled with an Impedance Audiogram (Tympanogram) and a Pure Tone Audiogram (PTA) will reveal if there is fluid accumulated in the middle ear, negative pressure in the middle ear or any other cause such as ear wax.
3. Steam inhalation (through tje nose and mouth), an OTC nasal decongestant drops (0.1% Xylometazoline) and an anti-allergic mucolytic, anti inflammatory medication should help you to unclog the ear. The medications and others will require a prescription. Hence I would urge you to get examined as soon as possible.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Steam inhalation, OTC Nasal decongestion drops, examination, medication.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This is common after a bad cold. The Eustachian Tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose fails to function leading to the ear being clogged.
2. Ideally, a ear drum examination coupled with an Impedance Audiogram (Tympanogram) and a Pure Tone Audiogram (PTA) will reveal if there is fluid accumulated in the middle ear, negative pressure in the middle ear or any other cause such as ear wax.
3. Steam inhalation (through tje nose and mouth), an OTC nasal decongestant drops (0.1% Xylometazoline) and an anti-allergic mucolytic, anti inflammatory medication should help you to unclog the ear. The medications and others will require a prescription. Hence I would urge you to get examined as soon as possible.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Brief Answer:
Thank you for writing back.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. I hope that the initial treatment works for you.
2. If the tests are needed, you can upload the test results and further treatment options can be discussed.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you for writing back.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. I hope that the initial treatment works for you.
2. If the tests are needed, you can upload the test results and further treatment options can be discussed.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
