Ear problems are uncomfortable and can be unpleasant to live with. Luckily, though, they don’t tend to cause a long-term issue. Nevertheless, knowing what you can do about them can help to reduce the distress and pain you experience when one of these problems strikes.
Ear Infections
Ear infections may be of the inner or outer ear. They are often caused by a virus and will usually clear up by themselves within a few days. Sometimes, however, a prescription for antibiotics is required. Use ibuprofen or paracetamol to reduce the pain associated with ear infections, and try placing a cold or warm cloth over your ear. If there is any discharge, use cotton wool to wipe the ear gently. Don’t put anything in your ear to try to remove the discharge.
Ear Popping
Ear popping, sometimes called ear congestion, happens because the Eustachian tube is clogged and this leads to pressure building up in the ear. It is commonly caused by sinus congestion due to flu, colds, allergies or external irritants like smoke. A nasal decongestant can prove helpful to treat ear popping due to sinus congestion. You should also avoid smoky environments and use a humidifier to prevent dry air from irritating the nasal passages. If you suffer from allergies, an antihistamine can help. Many people also experience ear popping while travelling. The pressure in these cases can be relieved by chewing sweets or gum, yawning or swallowing repeatedly to adjust the pressure.
Foreign Objects Inside The Ear
This is an especially common problem among children. Small items like nuts, seeds, sweets, toys and buttons often end up in the ear canal causing pain. Don’t try to take the object out of the ear yourself. Instead, seek out medical advice. Microsuction can help to remove foreign objects from the ear canal.
Earwax Build-Up
We all need ear wax in our ears to protect against infections, bacteria, dirt and dust. However, sometimes excessive amounts build up that then block the ears and affect hearing. Don’t use cotton buds or your fingers to remove the wax as this just pushes it further inside the ear worsening the problem. An auditory healthcare professional can use microsuction to remove excess ear wax from your ears quickly and safely. Contact our team of fully qualified specialists today to find out more about how we can treat your ear wax problem and help to restore your hearing.
Tinnitus
If you hear sounds in your ears that don’t come from external sources, you are suffering from tinnitus. Often caused by aging, tinnitus also occurs in younger people and may either be temporary (caused by listening to very loud music or due to congestion) or permanent. Tinnitus counselling can help to treat this problem while re-training therapy can encourage the brain to tune out the sounds so that you’ll be less aware of them.
If you’re concerned about hearing loss, contact Premier Ear Care today on 0330 057 8443 or email us at theteam@premierearcare.co.uk. We can offer you a full auditory check-up and remove any excess ear wax to restore your hearing.