How to get rid of ear blockage leading to muffled sound, cracking, and popping?

Question

Hi doctor,

For the past 13 days, I have had a blocked left ear. The sound feels muffled, and I can hear popping and cracking. When I swallow., I feel fullness in the ear and I am unsure what to do. This has come on after a sinus infection, which I believe has triggered ETD.

Will this go away?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to iclinq.com.

Yes, it is because of eustachian tube dysfunction. I suggest you take nasal decongestants, mucolytics and systemic decongestants. Do not worry, it will improve.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to iclinq.com.

Yes, the symptoms can linger on for up to three to four weeks, but there is nothing to be worried about. It will resolve entirely. Popping is a good sign. You can do Valsalva very gently, but do it only after a few days, when the infection and inflammation in the nose get resolved, otherwise you will push the infected phlegm and mucus back into the middle ear through the eustachian tube.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Glad to have you back.

The popping is because of the opening and closing of the eustachian tube and the crackling sound is because of some fluid remaining in the middle ear. It will get drained out completely once the eustachian tube function gets restored fully. I suggest you continue taking nasal decongestants. Also, get a pure tone audiometry and impedance audiometry done.

I wish you good health.

Thank you.

Answer 4

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Glad to have you back.

Ear drops will not help. It is not something to be worried about. It will clear fully. I suggest you do steam inhalations in plain water. Also, take nasal decongestants and mucolytics. Impedance audiometry will determine the status of the middle ear. Is there any fluid present and how is the movement of the tympanic membrane?

I hope you had a pleasant experience at icliniq.

Thank you.