Patient's question:
I experienced ear blockage after flying during a cold, and it has been 4 days now. The ear is still blocked. I don't know if it will heal on its own or if I need to go to the hospital.Doctor's answer:
When the airplane is ascending or descending, the eustachian tube can regulate and actively perform ventilation to maintain the balance of pressure between the inside and outside of the eardrum. At this time, there may be a sense of fullness in the ear or slight hearing impairment, but it will not cause ear damage. Injury to the middle ear cavity is called barotraumatic otitis media.Medical advice: The earlier treatment is initiated after developing barotraumatic otitis media, the better the outcome and the simpler the treatment required. During treatment, actions such as swallowing, chewing, and yawning can be performed. Decongestants like ephedrine can be applied to the nose. If there is middle ear effusion or blood accumulation, a myringotomy with aspiration should be performed under sterile conditions. For patients with a perforated eardrum, a sterile cotton ball should be placed in the external auditory canal to keep it dry, and systemic antibiotics should be used to allow spontaneous healing. If the eardrum does not heal on its own, a myringoplasty may be necessary. For individuals prone to frequent barotraumatic otitis media, the underlying cause should be identified and addressed.