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ears feel blocked/muffled

"It feels like water got in my ear."

"My own voice resonates."

"It sounds muffled."

"My ears feel strange after being on an airplane or going through a tunnel."

These symptoms of "clogged or muffled ears" are,

In addition to earwax, other conditions include Eustachian tube dysfunction, serous otitis media, and sudden hearing loss.

It can occur in various diseases.

especially,

- My hearing suddenly got worse.

- One ear feels severely blocked.

- accompanied by dizziness

In such cases, it is important to see an ENT specialist as soon as possible.

At Honda ENT Clinic, we provide comprehensive examinations of the ears, nose, and throat.

We provide treatment tailored to the cause.

Main causes of ear blockage/clogged sound

① Earwax impaction

耳垢が耳の穴をふさいでしまう状態です。

特に、

・綿棒を頻繁に使う

・イヤホンを長時間使う

・お子さん

・高齢者

では起こりやすくなります。

よくある症状

・耳が詰まる

・聞こえにくい

・耳鳴り

・自分の声が響く

治療方法

耳鼻咽喉科で安全に耳垢を除去します。

無理な耳掃除は、耳を傷つけたり奥に押し込んでしまうことがあります。

② Eustachian tube dysfunction

耳と鼻をつなぐ「耳管」の働きが悪くなる病気です。

風邪やアレルギー性鼻炎などで鼻が腫れると、

耳の圧を調整できなくなり、

耳閉感（耳が詰まる感じ）が出ます。

よくある症状

・耳が詰まる

・飛行機やトンネルで悪化

・ボワーッとする音が響く

・自分の声が大きく聞こえる

原因

・風邪

・花粉症

・鼻炎

・副鼻腔炎

・ストレス

・急激な体重減少

治療

・鼻の治療

・耳管通気

・ネブライザー

などを行います。

③ Otitis media with effusion

This is a condition where fluid accumulates behind the eardrum.

It is common in children,

Even adults can develop this condition, often triggered by sinusitis or rhinitis.

Common symptoms

- My ears feel muffled.

The TV volume is too loud.

- More people ask for clarification.

- Less pain

In children, a persistent runny nose can lead to otitis media (middle ear infection).

treatment

・ Nasal treatment

・ Ventilation treatment

- Tympanotomy (incision of the tympanostomy drum) if necessary

④ Sudden hearing loss

This is a condition where hearing suddenly deteriorates in one ear.

People sometimes delay seeking medical attention because they think it's "just a blocked ear."

Features

Suddenly, I have difficulty hearing in one ear.

Tinnitus

- Ear fullness

・May be accompanied by dizziness

Points to note

Early treatment after the onset of symptoms is extremely important.

If you've noticed a sudden change in your condition since yesterday, please see an ENT specialist as soon as possible.

⑤ Acute otitis media

風邪のあとなどに中耳に炎症が起こる病気です。

・よくある症状

・耳の痛み

・発熱

・耳が詰まる

・聞こえにくい

小児に多い病気ですが、大人でも起こります。

⑥ Meniere's disease

This is caused by an imbalance in the lymphatic fluid in the inner ear.

Features

- Feeling of ear blockage

Tinnitus

・ Dizziness

- Hearing loss

The symptoms may recur.

Please see a doctor as soon as possible if you experience these symptoms.

My hearing suddenly worsened.

One ear feels severely blocked.

I feel dizzy.

Accompanied by tinnitus

It hasn't improved even after several days.

Children are asking for clarification more often.

本多耳鼻咽喉科で行う検査

At Honda ENT Clinic, we perform the following tests depending on your symptoms.

Observation of the eardrum

Hearing test

Timpanometry

Nasal examination

Laryngeal endoscopy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Should I see a doctor even if my ears just feel blocked?

Yes. Sometimes it's just earwax,

In some cases, such as sudden hearing loss, early treatment is crucial.

Q. Ear clearing doesn't help.

Underlying conditions such as Eustachian tube dysfunction or otitis media may be present.

Please do not repeatedly try to force the ears to clear, and consult an ENT specialist.

Q. My child turns up the volume on the TV.

It could also be serous otitis media.

Hearing can be affected even without pain.

From Honda ENT Clinic

The symptom of "ear blockage or muffled sound" is,

·earwax

・Rhinitis

・Otitis media

Eustachian tube dysfunction

- Hearing loss

It can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as those listed above.

In particular, a sudden decline in hearing requires prompt attention.

If you have any concerning symptoms, please consult us as soon as possible.

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