Whether it hits you during an intense rock climbing expedition or in the middle of a daily jog, getting a clogged ear sucks the fun right out of physical activity. Exercising with a clogged ear can be distracting and even dangerous, depending upon what you're doing when it hits you. Learn the facts about clogged ears, so you can deal with this common disorder and keep it from taking over your exercise routine.
Causes
Clogged ears that occur while exercising may develop as a result of multiple conditions, including compacted earwax, allergies, colds and ear barotrauma. Earwax may accumulate in your ear canals, clogging them and muffling sounds while you exercise. Allergy- or cold-related clogged ears develop when congestion and inflammation in your nasal passages and ears lead to plugged Eustachian tubes. Once the Eustachian tubes become occluded, your eardrums can't process sound properly, which results in a clogged ear, says Dr. Laura Orvidas, Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat specialist. Ear barotrauma may happen when the pressure in your middle ear fails to match the pressure in the outer ear, often as a result of sudden changes in air pressure, such as those that may arise when you're swimming, skiing, mountain climbing or scuba diving.
Self-Help
If a clogged ear bothers you during exercising, try basic self-help measures to get rid of the blocked feeling. Remove tight-fitting earplugs, if necessary, and yawn, swallow or chew gum, which may help shift packed earwax or relieve the otic pressure by opening the Eustachian tubes. If these techniques don't bring relief, try breathing in, then closing your mouth and gently pinching your nostrils shut before breathing out slowly, recommends the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you experience dizziness with the clogged ear, stop exercising and rest until the vertigo subsides.
Prevention
Maximize your enjoyment of your exercise regimen by preventing clogged ear problems whenever possible. Avoid engaging in extreme sports that may involve changes in air pressure -- such as scuba diving and mountain climbing -- immediately after you get over an upper respiratory infection or while you're experiencing untreated allergy symptoms. If you have a personal history of excessive earwax, talk to your doctor about applying drops in your ears once weekly to soften hardened wax. If you experience ongoing allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing or itchy, watery eyes, consider taking an over-the-counter or prescription allergy medication to treat the symptoms before they affect your ears and hamper your exercise program.
Considerations
Short-term clogged ears occur regularly and are typically nothing to worry about, provided they resolve quickly on their own or in response to self-care measures during or immediately after exercise. If you repeatedly develop clogged ears during exercise, you should contact your primary care doctor for a complete examination and diagnosis. Other clogged-ear symptoms that warrant a prompt visit to your doctor include otic pain, dizziness, pressure and ear drainage.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Plugged Ears: What is the Remedy?; Dr. Laura Orvidas; December 2009
- "The Five-Minute Sports Medicine Consult"; Mark Bracker, et al.; 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Ear Barotrauma; Dr. Alan Lipkin
