Ear Congestion: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Ear congestion, which can be caused by various health issues, is one of the commonly encountered sensory organ disorders in society.

The proper functioning of the five main sensory organs in our body is essential for a happy and successful life. When there are issues with sensory organs due to various health problems, daily life can be negatively affected. In this context, ear congestion, which can arise from different health issues, is one of the most common sensory organ disorders encountered in society.

What Is Ear Congestion?

Ear congestion or fullness is a clinical symptom where individuals experience a feeling of fullness in the inner ear along with a reduction in hearing. Depending on the degree of congestion, hearing may be partially or completely diminished; balance loss may occur, and the individual may feel discomfort, which seriously impacts the quality of daily life. Ear congestion can arise in various parts of the ear due to different conditions or health issues.

The ear is anatomically divided into three main regions: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear, consisting of the ear flap, ear canal, and eardrum, is responsible for collecting sounds from the environment and transmitting them to the inner parts. The middle ear is the region where sound waves transmitted by the eardrum are amplified and transferred to the inner ear with the help of the ossicles. The middle ear is connected to the nasal cavity via the Eustachian tube, which helps adjust the inner ear pressure. The inner ear is the sensory area where the transmitted sounds are converted into signals suitable for the nervous system.

Ear congestion complaints typically arise from health issues affecting the outer or middle ear regions. Since both these parts of the ear are responsible for transmitting sounds to the inner ear, any physical barrier or disturbance that impedes sound transmission can be perceived as ear congestion. However, various pathologies affecting the inner ear can also rarely cause ear congestion.

What Are the Symptoms of Ear Congestion?

Ear congestion or fullness is associated with various clinical symptoms. The following symptoms may be observed in individuals experiencing ear congestion:

• Partial or complete reduction in hearing
• Hearing muffled sounds, leading to the need to speak loudly
• Ringing, buzzing, or a feeling of fullness
• Loss of balance or a feeling of instability
• Ear pain
• Inflammatory or clear-colored ear discharge
• Sensitivity in the ear area with jaw movements
• Redness or swelling in the ear area
• Nasal or post-nasal drip

What Causes Ear Congestion?

Ear congestion can lead to different clinical outcomes based on the affected ear region or underlying health condition. The following conditions and diseases can present with ear congestion:

• Earwax (Cerumen): Various glands along the outer ear canal produce a waxy secretion to keep the area moist and prevent foreign substances from reaching the inner ear. Known as “earwax” in everyday language, when produced excessively and completely blocks the ear canal, it leads to ear congestion. This accumulation is called an earwax plug.
• Upper Respiratory Infections: Conditions such as the common cold, nasal congestion, or flu can cause increased secretion and tissue swelling in the nasal cavity, which may also affect the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. This can result in ear congestion.
• Sinusitis: Similar to upper respiratory infections, inflammation in the sinus cavities can increase secretion, which may travel through the Eustachian tube to the middle ear, leading to ear congestion.
• Allergic Rhinitis: Swelling of tissues in the nasal cavity due to allergens and excessive mucus secretion can cause congestion in the middle ear as well.
• Water Accumulation in the Ear: Everyday activities like swimming or showering can result in water entering the ear canal, reducing sound permeability and causing ear congestion.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke can irritate the nasal cavity and middle ear, leading to increased secretion and congestion.
• Middle Ear Infection: Bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear tissues can lead to swelling and accumulation of inflammatory fluid, causing congestion.
• Serous Otitis Media: This condition, resulting from a previous infection, allergy, or other health problems, leads to fluid accumulation in the middle ear, causing ear congestion.
• Pressure Changes: Rapid changes in altitude, such as during travel, can cause pressure changes in the middle ear when the Eustachian tube is unable to adapt quickly. This can affect sound transmission and result in a feeling of ear congestion.
• Outer Ear Infections: Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi in the outer ear canal can lead to swelling and narrowing of the ear canal, reducing sound permeability and causing ear congestion.
• Foreign Objects: The entry of foreign objects like cotton, toys, or food into the ear canal can block sound transmission, resulting in ear congestion.
• Meniere's Disease: In Meniere's disease, caused by changes in fluid pressure in the inner ear, ear congestion and fullness are common clinical symptoms.
• Cholesteatoma: Chronic ear infections can lead to the development of abnormal tissue growth called cholesteatoma, which can damage the eardrum and middle ear and impair sound transmission, causing ear congestion.
• Acoustic Neuroma: This tumor, which affects the nerve tissue responsible for hearing in the ear, can cause ear congestion due to its negative effect on hearing.
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: In conditions that cause pain and movement disorders in the temporomandibular joint, symptoms can radiate to the ear, leading to the sensation of ear congestion.

How to Relieve Ear Congestion?

The relief of ear congestion primarily depends on the accurate identification of the underlying health problem. The treatment plan may vary according to the cause of the issue. In this regard, the measures to be taken in treatment can be summarized as follows, according to the most common causes of ear congestion:

Treatment for Earwax (Cerumen)

In healthy individuals, earwax does not require intervention as long as it does not lead to any clinical symptoms. The ear secretions are naturally expelled from the ear canal due to the movements of the jaw joint and facial muscles. However, in conditions like working in dusty environments, frequent ear infections, or frequent water exposure to the ear, ear secretions may increase. These situations can lead to the development of earwax blockages.

To treat earwax, cleaning solutions containing glycerin or boric acid are used to soften the accumulated secretion and facilitate its removal. Hardened earwax can be cleaned by a healthcare professional with the help of specific equipment.

Treatment for Infections

In cases of outer or middle ear infections, as well as upper respiratory infections, appropriate medication is prescribed according to the cause. For bacterial infections, antibiotics targeting the causative agent are commonly used. Additionally, decongestants, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid nasal sprays may be used to reduce nasal and middle ear secretions. Regular rinsing of the nasal cavity with water or cleaning solutions, as well as moisturizing and cleaning, is beneficial. The consumption of irritants like smoking should be stopped. Also, drinking plenty of fluids during the infection helps soften secretions.

Treatment for Allergy-Related Conditions

For allergies in the ear or nasal passages, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, and corticosteroid nasal sprays or tablets that relieve allergic reactions is effective. For successful treatment, it is important to minimize exposure to allergens.

Treatment for Pressure Changes

During travel, certain measures can prevent ear problems caused by pressure changes. During altitude changes, actions such as chewing gum, keeping the mouth open, swallowing, or yawning help keep the Eustachian tube open and balance middle ear pressure. Additionally, the Valsalva maneuver can be performed, which involves pinching the nose, closing the mouth, and forcing air out through the nose.

For blockages caused by health problems unrelated to the ones mentioned above, specific treatment methods tailored to the underlying condition are utilized.