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Pressure in the ear: causes and treatment
Ear pressure - who does not know the uncomfortable feeling? A trip by car to the mountains and the higher it goes, the more the unpleasant pressure on the ears arises. It is also completely normal when the aircraft lands and takes off and can often be positively influenced by chewing gum. In addition to the rather harmless complaints of changes in altitude, various illnesses such as otitis media can also be the cause. In these cases, a doctor should be consulted promptly to avoid serious illnesses or complications such as persistent hearing loss.
Pressure in the ear from ear wax
Ear pressure is not a disease, but a symptom that accompanies various diseases, especially in the area of the ear. Too much wax (cerumen) is often the cause. This yellowish-brown glandular secretion is formed and secreted in the outer ear canal. It is used for cleaning and protection against microorganisms. If too much of it is produced, it can obstruct the ear canal and thus lead to an annoying feeling of pressure in the ear. In some cases, this also affects hearing.
Sometimes a wax plug is formed after bathing or swimming. In this case, the water that has penetrated the ear, together with the ear wax, forms a plug that moves the ear canal in such a way that ear pressure develops.
Improper ear hygiene is often the reason for the complaints. If the cerumen is brought further towards the eardrum by using a Q-tip, the ear canal becomes blocked. This is the reason why cotton swabs have no business in the ear and should definitely not be over-cleaned.
Sensation of pressure in infections
Inflammation in the ear canal and / or the eardrum may be the cause of the symptoms. For example, unclean bath water, mechanical irritation or pathogens are possible triggers. Affected people typically suffer from ear pain, ear pressure and occasionally buzzing in the ears with such an infection.
In a so-called “tube catarrh”, which occurs acutely or chronically, the mucous membrane of the eustachian tube is swollen due to inflammation and thus the tube function is restricted. This hinders normal ventilation of the middle ear, which creates the familiar pressure on the ears. The acute form usually occurs in connection with a cold. Other typical symptoms here are pain and cracking in the ear and a possible hearing loss.
The chronic form affects mainly children, whereby those affected suffer from a significant impairment of their hearing. In addition, there is a massive feeling of pressure in the ear, possibly combined with "chuckling" ear noises when eating, yawning or blowing your nose. Delayed speech development is repeatedly discovered in small patients, triggered by reduced hearing.
Ear pressure through eardrum perforation
The ear pressure may be caused by perforation of the eardrum (a hole in the eardrum). This can be caused, for example, by an explosion, surfacing too quickly after a dive (barotrauma) or an injury with objects such as knitting needles or hair clips. Patients affected by a perforated eardrum complain of sudden hearing loss, ear pressure and severe pain. Danger: If there is a hole in the eardrum, no ear drops may be used!
Cause sudden hearing loss
In the course of a so-called “hearing loss”, those affected often report a feeling of pressure that feels as if they had cotton wool in their ears. Hearing loss or "ear infarction" describes a sudden, mostly unilateral hearing loss that can go as far as complete hearing loss.
The exact background for this phenomenon has not yet been fully clarified. Some scientists suspect a connection with circulatory disorders in the inner ear. Chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases are also discussed as possible triggers, and stress is often regarded as the cause of sudden hearing loss.
Other reasons for pressure on the ears
If nasal breathing is constantly impaired, for example due to a defect in the nasal septum, a negative pressure develops in the middle ear and consequently an unpleasant pressure on the ears. In severe cases, only surgical intervention helps.
The cervical spine can also be responsible for the symptoms. The top cervical vertebra, the atlas, carries the head. Many nerve tracts and blood vessels run in this area, and the ear is not far away either. For this reason, ear pressure can also develop in this area.
The same applies to the so-called craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD). The starting point is the temporomandibular joint, which is affected by incorrect loading and / or incorrect positioning. In addition to grinding your teeth, headache, dizziness and other symptoms, this can also cause an uncomfortable feeling of pressure in the ear.
Treatment of ear pressure
If inflammation is the reason for the complaints, this should of course be treated. A visit to the doctor is therefore definitely advisable. In order to eliminate swellings in the connecting passage between the middle ear and the nasopharynx (“Eustachian tube”, also called “ear trumpet”), nasal decongestant drops are usually administered. With younger children in particular, it is recommended to use a suitable nasal spray for every cold to prevent a tube catarrh.
If a wax plug is the cause of the ear pressure, the doctor removes it with the help of an ear irrigation. In case of inflammation of the external ear canal, the insertion of an ointment strip that has been soaked in alcohol, antibiotics or cortisone can help. Sometimes the use of appropriate ear drops is sufficient.
If symptoms around the cervical spine (such as the cervical spine syndrome) are the trigger, medication and / or physiotherapy are used depending on the cause. Treating craniomandibular dysfunction is not an easy task. Accordingly, the treatment should definitely be carried out by specialized therapists.
Permanent obstructions of nasal breathing, which lead to permanent pressure in the ear or even in both ears, are - if no other therapy leads to success - removed by surgery.
Hearing loss, which often occurs in people who have a lot of stress in their life and cannot cope with it, uses infusion and cortisone to promote blood circulation, although there is no clear evidence of the effect.
What to do if you have ear pressure on a plane?
When taking off or landing by plane, the ear must ensure pressure equalization in view of the changes in air pressure. Everyone knows the resulting unpleasant pressure on the ear. To moisten the mucous membranes during a flight, it is recommended to use a nasal spray (e.g. sea salt spray) before a flight. It is also important to drink enough water during a flight.
The so-called “Valsalva Maneuver” can help with pressure balance problems. With the nose closed and the mouth closed, an attempt is made to exhale vigorously through the nose. Divers also use this to prevent barotrauma. Yawning, chewing, and swallowing can also help fight the feeling of pressure.
Naturopathy with pressure in the ears
The feeling of pressure often occurs in connection with infections. Naturopathy can do a good job, especially if these are recurrent. Danger: Any inflammation in the area of the ear should first be clarified by a doctor.
Autologous blood therapy is a suitable way to combat susceptibility to infections and thus also to combat the pressure on the ears. Rejection procedures such as a cantharid patch applied to the mastoid (bone behind the ear) can be an effective home remedy for otitis media.
The homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla helps with symptoms that feel like something is pushing out or the ear is blocked. Potassium bichromicum is used for chronic catarrhal inflammation and in this way eliminates the symptoms. Luffa operculata and Ferrum phosphoricum are relatively well-known remedies that promise relief from tube catarrh and runny nose.
Some effective nasal drops that contain plant extracts and / or sea salt are used to treat upper respiratory infections. Ear drops can calm the mucous membrane in the ear canal, but should never be used if the eardrum is broken. Those affected are also advised to suck herbal sweets and chew gum to stimulate the swallowing act. This can improve the ventilation situation and thus counteract the pressure.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses, among other things, ear acupuncture and body acupuncture. In children, the gentler variant, laser acupuncture, is preferred.
Warm deposits liquefy the secretion. Some home remedies for ear pain also work against ear pressure. Warm onion wraps, for example, often help to alleviate the symptoms. In many naturopathic practices, ear candles are also used if they are impaired. These have an anti-inflammatory effect, promote blood circulation and have a calming component.
Instructions for an onion pad:- Chop one or two onions and grate them roughly
- Put the pieces in the middle of a cloth (handkerchief or linen cloth, cloth diaper or similar)
- Fold the cloth into a packet and place it on the affected ear
- To fix the support e.g. a headband or a hat can be used
If the cause is to be found in the area of the cervical spine, injections with means from anthroposophic medicine promise relief. In the case of severe tension, a positive effect is attributed to Baunscheidt therapy and cupping.
If those affected are often tense, they should learn to deal better with stress. Relaxation exercises such as autogenic training or yoga help here. Classic homeopathy and the Schüssler salts No. 7 Magnesium phosphoricum and No. 5 Kalium phosphoricum offer further effective help in reducing stress.
In the event of constant tension, it is still advisable to rethink the diet. Because a strongly acidic diet can definitely lead to acidification of the organism or an imbalance in the acid-base balance and, in this way, permanent, therapy-resistant tension.
To counteract this, animals should be reduced and vegetables and fruit should be consumed frequently. We recommend drinking at least two to two and a half liters of still water a day. In addition, exercise in the fresh air can strengthen the immune system and thereby prevent recurring infections. (sw, nr)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of the medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical doctors.
Susanne Waschke, Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch
Swell:
- German Society for Acoustics (DEGA): www.pub.dega-akustik.de (access: 01.09.2019), "Ear pressure" - an underestimated noise phenomenon?
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- Hans Reuter; Markus Vieten: Differential diagnosis for naturopaths, Foitzick Verlag GmbH, 2010
- Ahmed Rashid: "Yonder: Earache, personality disorder, pain scores, and vulvodynia", in: British Journal of General Practice, Volume 69 Issue 686, 2019, BJGP
- Gill Norman et al .: "Systematic review of the limited evidence base for treatments of Eustachian tube dysfunction: a health technology assessment", in: Clinical Otolaryngology, Volume 39 Issue 1, 2014, Wiley Online Library
- Miguel A. Lopez-Gonzalez et al .: "Sudden Deafness Caused by Lifestyle Stress: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and New Therapeutic Perspectives", in: The Open Otorhinolaryngology Journal, Volume 3 Issue 1, 2009, semanticscholar.org
