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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Stuffed Ear Blocking Out All Sounds?

I was recently sick with a runny/stuffy nose, sore throat/coughing, and random fits of overheating. I became better (I didn t feel sick anymore), but soon after (literally a day or so) my ear started feeling really crammed/stuffed. At first there was the occurence where all sounds would block out, only able to hear my own heartbeat. This stopped however. I also tried using a Q-tip, but there was barely any wax. There s also a feeling of liquid in the ear, where it feels squishy when I chew. Over the last bunch of days, the feeling has increased in the one ear, and started up in the other (albeit very minimally). For clarification, I have not used any Q-tips in both ears. Is there any idea of what could be wrong with me before I drive myself crazy with assumptions?
Thu, 30 Jul 2020
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Noted your history about blocked ears after suffering from stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, could hear own heartbeat.
The reason is obvious URTI that upper respiratory tract infection and inflammation that has spread through the Eustachian tube to the middle ear that is behind the ear drum.
This infection causes excess fluid production in a close cavity of middle ear not allowing the eardrum to move and hence the specific symptoms.
I would advise you the following:
Consult your Doctor for preliminary examination and get started with basic treatment and refer to the ENT Surgeon for appropriate diagnosis and proper management.
So not blow the nose.
Complete the courses to avoid recurrence.
Take care to avoid further infections.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon
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What Causes Stuffed Ear Blocking Out All Sounds?

Hi, Noted your history about blocked ears after suffering from stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, could hear own heartbeat. The reason is obvious URTI that upper respiratory tract infection and inflammation that has spread through the Eustachian tube to the middle ear that is behind the ear drum. This infection causes excess fluid production in a close cavity of middle ear not allowing the eardrum to move and hence the specific symptoms. I would advise you the following: Consult your Doctor for preliminary examination and get started with basic treatment and refer to the ENT Surgeon for appropriate diagnosis and proper management. So not blow the nose. Complete the courses to avoid recurrence. Take care to avoid further infections. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T. Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon