with Daniel Fechner Ear Studio

The days are longer , it ’ s warming up , flowers are blooming , and the smell of fresh cut grass lingers in the air . Along with these wonderful seasonal delights , perhaps you are also feeling congested , and your ears may be feeling blocked .

Your sinuses and your ears are connected inside your head and for some people , sinus issues may lead to their ears feeling blocked . Sinus congestion can affect the pressure in your middle ear and cause a blockage or feeling a full sensation .

This sensation can occur when the eustachian tube is not functioning well or it becomes obstructed . The tube is a small channel that connects the middle ear to the nose and sinuses . It equalises the pressure in your middle ear , behind the ear drum .

There are tests to check that the pressure behind your eardrum is equal to the pressure in the atmosphere , outside of your ear . This test is called tympanometry . When this measurement shows that the pressure in the ear is too high or too low , this can be a sign that the eustachian tube is not working , or it is blocked . When the eustachian tube is not functioning well , you may experience fullness or pressure in your head .

What causes blocked ears ?

Our ears can feel blocked for several reasons such as an excess of wax , fluid buildup behind the eardrum , something stuck in the ear such as a cotton-bud or tip of an earphone , or a sudden hearing loss . Unfortunately , when people experience blocked ears , they often have a ‘ wait and see ’ approach to see if the ears unblock themselves .

It is extremely important that the cause of the blocked or full sensation is investigated immediately and not left to fix itself . Hearing care professionals can complete several tests to identify what is causing your symptoms .

Blocked eustachian tubes can be caused by allergies , sinus infections or swelling from a recent cold . These conditions can cause fluid to collect in the middle ear . The pressure and fluid can cause pain in your ears or head . You may also experience muffled hearing , ear pain , ringing or popping noises in the ears as well as dizziness . What to do if your ears are blocked If your ears are feeling blocked , it is important to see a local hearing care provider , such as Ear Studio . At Ear Studio , we can complete several tests to identify what is causing the blocked sensation in

your ears . If eustachian tube dysfunction is the cause for the blocked feeling you are experiencing , a nasal decongestant or nasal spray is often recommended . At Ear Studio , we can test your hearing , remove ear wax build-up , perform an ear health check , or refer you to the right specialists to get you on the path to clearing the blocked feeling from your ears !

To book , phone ( 02 ) 9159 6122 or Email : reception @ earstudio . com . au or visit www . earstudio . com . au Ear Studio is located at Suite 9-10 / 60 Cecil Avenue , Lawton House in Castle Hill . TRADING HOURS : Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm by appointment only .

“ Ear Studio is proudly independent and locally owned “