Why Are My Ears Clogged? 5 Causes an Audiologist Sees Most

Why are my ears clogged? Usually it is ear wax, allergies, sinus trouble, Eustachian tube dysfunction or fluid in the ear. Dr. Mandy Rounseville-Norgaard, AuD is a licensed audiologist at Audiology Associates in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Miramar Beach, Florida. She has worn hearing aids herself since age 3. "My ears feel clogged" is one of the most common things she hears in the clinic. In this video she walks through what causes that full, plugged feeling, the clue that points to each cause, and the signs that mean it is time to have someone look. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN The number one reason ears feel clogged, and who can clear it Why allergy season sends so many people in with full ears How your sinuses and your ears are connected What Eustachian tube dysfunction feels like (think: just got off an airplane) Why a cold or a sinus infection can leave fluid in your ears What it means when you plug your nose and your ears will not clear The signs that point to something more than a simple clog CHAPTERS 0:00 Why are my ears clogged? 0:21 Cause 1: Ear wax 0:31 Cause 2: Allergies 0:47 Cause 3: Sinus issues 1:03 Causes 4 and 5: Eustachian tube dysfunction and fluid in the ear 1:23 Can't pop your ears? What that means 1:34 Signs it could be something more 1:52 The most common causes, and where to get checked THE 5 CAUSES AT A GLANCE 1. Ear wax. The most likely one. An audiologist can look in your ears and clean them out if needed. 2. Allergies. If you are prone to allergies, or you take allergy medicine every day, fullness often shows up at certain times of the year. 3. Sinus issues. Always blowing your nose? Can't breathe through it? Your sinuses and your ears are connected, and that changes how your ears feel. 4. Eustachian tube dysfunction. That "just got off an airplane" feeling. It can be allergy related too. 5. Fluid in the ear. A cold or a sinus infection can leave fluid in there. WHEN TO GET IT LOOKED AT If the fullness comes with a ringing sound (tinnitus) on one side, or you get dizzy, those can be signs of something more. Have your ears checked. MORE FROM DR. MANDY How to Unclog Your Ears:    • How to Unclog Your Ears!   How to Clear Blockages in Your Ear with the Earigator:    • How to Clear Blockages in your Ear - The E...   Why Do My Ears Feel Full?:    • Why Do My Ears Feel Full?   Ear Wax and Ear Care playlist:    • Ear Wax & Ear Care   ABOUT DR. MANDY Dr. Mandy Rounseville-Norgaard, AuD has practiced audiology for over 15 years and has worn hearing aids since she was 3. She answers the ear and hearing questions people actually ask, from both sides of the chair. GET YOUR EARS CHECKED Sioux Falls, SD 4948 E. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 605-306-3050 siouxfallsaudiologyassociates.com Miramar Beach, FL 42 Business Centre Dr, Unit 306, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 850-517-6977 miramarbeachaudiologyassociates.com Serving Destin, Sandestin and 30A. SUBSCRIBE Hit subscribe and the bell so you see the next ear and hearing answer from Dr. Mandy as soon as it is out. COMMON QUESTIONS Why are my ears clogged? The most common causes are ear wax, Eustachian tube dysfunction, sinus problems and allergies. Fluid in the ear after a cold or a sinus infection is another. Ear wax is the most likely. An audiologist can look in your ears and clean them out if that is the cause. Can allergies make your ears feel clogged? Yes. If you are prone to allergies, or you take allergy medicine every day, your ears can feel full or clogged. Dr. Mandy sees it at certain times of the year, when people come in saying their ears feel full. Can sinus problems make your ears feel clogged? Yes. Your sinuses and your ears are connected. If you are constantly blowing your nose, or you can't breathe through it, that can change the way your ears feel. What does Eustachian tube dysfunction feel like? It feels like you have been up in an airplane. The Eustachian tube equalizes the pressure in your ear. If you plug your nose, try to clear your ears and they will not clear, that points to the same thing. It can be allergy related. Why do my ears feel clogged after a cold? You can get fluid in your ears. A cold or a sinus infection can leave fluid inside, and that gives you the full, clogged feeling. When is a clogged ear a sign of something more? When the fullness comes with other signs. A ringing sound (tinnitus) on one side, or dizziness, can point to something more than a simple clog. Get your ears checked. #CloggedEars #EarHealth #Audiologist #EustachianTube #EarWax DISCLAIMER This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and it is not a substitute for evaluation, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed hearing care provider. If your ears feel full, plugged or painful, see a licensed provider.