Plugged ears are rarely a serious problem. They most often result from allergies or a cold and can last between a few hours or a couple of weeks. They usually subside on their own and are painless, only resulting in muffled hearing. Congestion in...
Ear congestion is a problem that often accompanies nasal congestion as part of a flu, a cold or an allergic reaction. Symptoms of ear congestion may include muffled hearing, a ringing in the ear or a stuffy feeling inside the ear canal. Ear...
Ear pain and muffled hearing can interfere with your normal workout routine. Although a blocked ear that resolves itself promptly after your exercise session generally does not pose any serious medical concerns, schedule an appointment with your...
Whether you have a cold or you've just stepped off a cross-country flight, you feel one symptom--your ears are plugged. While this is not a serious condition, it is uncomfortable and it makes it inconvenient when you need to hear what others are...
Water can get trapped in your ears when you're swimming, taking a bath or even while showering. Water in the ear can be a source of immense discomfort, causing a sense of tightness, reduced or muffled hearing and even vertigo, but there can be a...
Ear infections are some of the most common and bothersome medical conditions in kids. An ear infection can occur in the external ear canal or in the middle part of the ear that is behind the ear drum. Infections in the ear canal are usually...
If you are experiencing ringing in the ears, muffled hearing and a feeling that something is stuck in the ear, you may have ear wax blockage, according to MayoClinic.com. Wax blockage occurs when the ear wax hardens in the ear canal, then presses...
Swimmer's ear, also known as an infection of the ear canal, acute external otitis or otitis externa, is characterized by itching, redness, discomfort or drainage in the ear canal. You may also experience pain, pus, a feeling of fullness or muffled...
The condition of airplane ear, medically known as ear barotrauma, occurs when the pressure inside of one eardrum is different than the other. The Eustachian tube is a canal in the ear that allows air to flow into the middle ear to balance...
A vestibular migraine, also called migraine-associated vertigo, is a migraine that causes dizziness. Signs and symptoms of a vestibular migraine include the typical symptoms of a regular migraine, along with vestibular and hearing symptoms....
Earaches are a common childhood complaint that can make kids miserable and parents quite frustrated. Middle-ear inflammation is known medically as otitus media and usually produces symptoms such as pain, muffled hearing and fever. Earaches have a...
Ear infections can cause pain, fever and in severe cases, even loss of hearing. The complex structure of the ear controls not only hearing, but balance. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ear infections are one of the most...
Glue ear is a condition in which the middle ear fills with glue-like fluid. It occurs more commonly in children than in adults. The fluid dampens sound waves, or the vibrations of the tiny bones in the middle ear. This decreases sound transfer to...
Earwax, or cerumen, is a protective substance formed by glands in the ear canal. While people often view earwax as a nuisance that must be removed, its presence is necessary to provide lubrication and guard against infection. Most of the time,...
Many people suffer with the pain associated with an ear infection at some point. In some cases, an external ear infection, called acute external otitis, or swimmer's ear, may be caused by swimming. This is an infection in the outer part of the ear...
External otitis is a skin infection of the ear canal. As noted in a 2006 review article published in "American Family Physician," bacteria causes approximately 90 percent of external otitis; the remaining 10 percent is due to fungal infections....
As if being pregnant isn't hard enough, allergies can add to your list of symptoms and make you feel miserable. If you have pre-existing allergic rhinitis or hay fever from weed pollen, it's normal for symptoms to flare-up during pregnancy. Always...
Infants are typically susceptible to reoccurring, or chronic, ear infections for several reasons. Immaturity of the immune system, underdevelopment of inner-ear mechanisms and allergies tend to be the principal culprits. Immediate treatment for...
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo, a constant ringing in the ear and affects your balance. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates about 45,000 are diagnosed with Meniere's...
Ear congestion is a common symptom when fluid is in the ears or as a result of air travel in a pressurized cabin, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. But it can also be a symptom of an ear infection. If you...
Gluten sensitivities typically affect your digestive system, skin or sinuses, but in certain circumstances, a gluten allergy can cause ear congestion and a temporary reduction in hearing. Your heath care provider should evaluate ear problems that...
If you find yourself repeating "Excuse me?" several times each day, there may be a problem. Hearing loss can be lifelong, beginning at birth, come on gradually or appear overnight. There are many common symptoms of hearing disorders. Muffled...
If your child's ear hurts, or he's having trouble hearing, there are several things that could be causing it. Different types of infections, as well as complications from them and other unrelated ear problems are common in young kids. Treatment...
Whether you have tried everything you could find to unblock that ear congestion or you just prefer to avoid medications that can have side effects, acupressure can be a superb treatment to get you hearing clearly again. The Merriam-Webster medical...
The painful experience of swimmer's ear is the cause of nearly 2.4 million health care visits each year. Earplugs can help prevent swimmer's ear and can usually be used while treating the infection. Always consult with your doctor before placing...
Your body has many natural and efficient defenses to minimize illness, infection and damage from the outside world. One such defense is earwax. Though it may be annoying, itchy and unsightly, earwax is a great protector of the ear canals and your...
Middle ear effusion is a term that describes the abnormal buildup of fluid in the area behind the eardrum. The condition is also called otitis media with effusion. Children may develop effusion for a number of reasons, including after-effects of...
Earwax is a natural substance that helps keep the ear healthy and maintain hearing. Sometimes the wax builds up, causing a few symptoms like ear discomfort, pain or hearing loss. Removing earwax that has built up can be difficult if it has become...
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen while in a pressurized chamber. The treatment increases the amount of oxygen absorbed by the blood and carried to the body tissues. Common indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy include...
