The ear is divided into three sections. The visible region of the outer ear is comprised of the canal that leads to the eardrum. The eardrum separates the inner and outer ears, and the middle ear includes tiny bones that enhance sound. Sounds are converted to electrical impulses and delivered to the brain through the inner ear.
While most people are aware of hearing loss, several other illnesses can also damage the ears. Some are simply bothersome, while others can be painful. Furthermore, these disorders might have a negative impact on your hearing, aggravating any existing hearing loss.
Glue Ear:
Teenage children are most likely to get glue ear (also known as otitis media with effusion). One or both ears can be affected in children aged one to six.
A glue ear happens when the center of the ear gets sticky. Due to the fluid buildup in the middle ear, the small bones can’t convey sound vibrations to the cochlea, causing loss of
Glue-ear symptoms:
This condition manifests in children who frequently ask for repeats, have trouble hearing, or get quickly distracted when listening.
Treatment:
It usually goes away in 6–10 weeks for most kids and 50–90% of them in three months. More than three-month glue ear patients may require grommets or temporary hearing devices.
Ear Congestion:
The Eustachian tube becomes plugged, causing ear pressure. It can cause discomfort and hearing loss.
Causes:
The usual cold and flu, sinusitis, allergies, or environmental irritants like tobacco smoke can cause ear congestion.
Treatment:
Rinsing the nose. Take a nasal decongestant and gently blow your nose. Avoid cigarette smoke and other irritants, and use a humidifier to prevent dry air irritation. Hydration can also help thin nasal mucus. Use antihistamine for allergies.
Ear Wax:
Earwax generally falls out on its own. It can sometimes obstruct your ears. Using your fingers or cotton buds to remove earwax will exacerbate the problem.
Symptoms:
Itching, dizziness, ear infections, and noises like high-pitched tones emanating from inside the ear are all possible symptoms.
Treatment:
Apply 2–3 drops of olive or almond oil twice a day for a few days if your ears are plugged. Over two weeks, earwax lumps should fall out of your ear, especially at night.
A doctor can recommend treatments like chemical drops to dissolve earwax or can manually remove earwax.
Tinnitus:
Tinnitus is the term used for hearing sounds in one or both ears that are not external. Tinnitus is commonly connected to age-related hearing loss or exposure to loud noise. Tinnitus affects all ages, especially youngsters. But it affects the elderly more.
Tinnitus is a transient condition induced by loud music or a cold. However, about one in ten adults (six million people) in the UK has tinnitus.
Symptoms:
Symptoms include ringing in the ears, hissing, sizzling, buzzing, whooshing, and white noise. Also, there may be several sounds. There’s no rhyme or reason to it. It’s just a sound.
Treatment:
Tinnitus retraining therapy uses sound therapy to encourage your brain to tune out and be less aware of tinnitus.
Perforated Eardrum:
The term “perforated eardrum” refers to a hole in the eardrum caused by illness, loud noises, or damage. It can happen during airplane take-off and landing in extreme instances.
Often, the hole heals on its own and does not create any problems. At times, though, it may induce recurring infections, resulting in ear drainage. If the hole is large enough, some hearing loss may occur.
To confirm a hole in the eardrum, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist use an ‘auriscope.’
Surgery:
Sometimes surgery is necessary to repair the perforation to avoid repeated infections when water enters the middle ear.
Ménière’s disease:
Ménière’s disease affects the inner ear’s balance and hearing. It affects adults aged 20-60. It is rare in kids. This condition causes dizziness, unsteadiness, sickness, ringing, roaring, buzzing in the ears, and unexpected hearing loss.
Symptoms:
These symptoms often coincide and last minutes to hours. It is a distressing ailment due to its erratic nature. Symptoms might last a day or two, and victims often feel exhausted following an attack. Also, while it typically starts in one ear, it can extend to both.
Treatment:
Medication can help manage vertigo and nausea.
FAQs
What are the common signs and symptoms of ear diseases?
- Earache when lying down.
- Pulling on an ear.
- Extra tears.
- Hearing or responding to sound issues.
- Fever of 100 F (38 C).
Why is my ear blocked but n wax?
There are several causes of this: fluid buildup, loud sounds, foreign objects in the ear, and ear infections (see next section). A ruptured eardrum increases the risk of infection and subsequent blockage of the Eustachian canals.
What dissolves ear wax fast?
Home earwax removal with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide Drizzle 5-10 drops of hydrogen peroxide into each ear. Five minutes with your head angled to the side to allow the peroxide to enter wax. Do this for 3-14 days.
