Have you ever noticed your ears feeling plugged during a cold, allergy season, or while flying on an airplane? The cause is often a small but very important part of your ear (and hearing abilities) called the Eustachian tube.
The Eustachian tube is a narrow passage that connects your middle ear to the back of your nose and throat. Its job is to equalize air pressure on both sides of your eardrum, allowing it to vibrate freely with noise, and protect your delicate middle ear from fluids and bacteria entering from your nose and throat. When it is working properly, you likely never notice it. When it becomes blocked or doesn't open as it should, it can affect both your comfort and hearing abilities.
What Can Affect the Eustachian Tube?
Several common situations can interfere with normal Eustachian tube function, including:
When the tube becomes swollen or blocked, pressure can build up behind the eardrum. This may cause a feeling of fullness in the ear, muffled hearing, discomfort, or even pain.
Why Does Flying Affect My Ears?
During takeoff and landing, air pressure changes quickly with altitude. The Eustachian tube must open to balance the pressure in your middle ear. If it cannot open easily, especially if they are also impacted by congestion from a cold or allergies, you may experience the familiar sensation of your ears "popping" or becoming clogged. Swallowing, yawning, chewing gum, or sipping water can often help the Eustachian tube open and relieve pressure. Don’t put anything into your ear canal to try to relieve the pressure, this may cause damage to your eardrum or middle ear. If ear discomfort is a common occurrence when flying, search for or ask a licensed hearing care professional about earplugs specifically built to adapt your ears to pressure changes.
When Should You Seek Help?
Occasional ear pressure or muffled hearing during illness or travel is common and may be alleviated with decongestant medication. However, you should consider seeing a healthcare provider if you experience:
A healthcare provider or licensed hearing care professional can determine whether your symptoms are related to Eustachian tube dysfunction, an ear infection, hearing loss, or another condition.
Protecting Your Hearing Health
Good hearing health involves more than protecting your ears from loud noise. Paying attention to symptoms such as persistent ear pressure, fullness, or changes in hearing can help identify problems early. If something doesn't sound quite right, don't ignore it. A licensed hearing care professional can help determine the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.
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