The ears can be a very sensitive part of your anatomy. They are susceptible to a multitude of complications, ranging from different infections, to fluid pressure, ruptured eardrums, Eustachian tube blockages and more. If you experience pain in your ears or a sudden change in your hearing, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible. Often, your condition can be treated with a simple remedy, but in some cases, it may require surgery.

Middle Ear Infection

Middle ear infections, or otitis media, are more common in children than in adults. Often, middle ear infections resolve themselves in a few days, and most of the time, doctors will wait to see if this happens before prescribing antibiotics. The patient can take over-the-counter pain relievers, and the doctor may prescribe eardrops with a numbing agent if the ears are not draining properly.

Recurring Middle Ear Infections

If the ear infection does not clear up on its own, the condition is impacting the patient’s hearing, and if the condition is recurring ear infections that do not go away with antibiotics, surgery may help. A common option is myringotomy. Under general anesthesia, the surgeon will place a drainage tube in the eardrum, which will both equalize the pressure and drain the fluid. The tube is left in the eardrum, but it will naturally come out on its own, usually in about a year.

Eustachian Tube Blockage

The Eustachian tube is what helps your middle ear equalize pressure, such as when you suddenly elevate your altitude. It also connects the nose to the middle ear. It can become damaged from many things, including blowing the nose too hard. When the tube becomes blocked, hearing is negatively affected. Often, a nasal decongestant can help relieve Eustachian tube blockage. Another way to clear it is to drink a large amount of hot tea. It is important to be very gentle when blowing your nose. You can also try swallowing with the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth to help equalize the pressure.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears that can be caused by several different things. If it is caused by high blood pressure, then a simple solution is to lower the blood pressure. If it is caused by Meniere’s disease, which results in a higher amount of fluid pressure in the inner ear, then it can be treated by draining the excess fluid and reducing the pressure. Sometimes, high amounts of aspirin may be the culprit, and eliminating these products will treat tinnitus. Occasionally, for tinnitus that does not respond to other treatments, including 100 mg of vitamin B6 twice a day into your daily regimen may help.

Ruptured Eardrum

The eardrum is a thin tissue. It is a barrier between the middle ear and the ear canal. A ruptured eardrum is one that has a hole or a tear in it. It is important to see your doctor right away if you suspect you have a ruptured eardrum. However, they usually heal on their own within a couple weeks. If it does not heal, your doctor may recommend an eardrum patch. A chemical is applied to the edges of the hole to encourage healing, and then a patch is placed on the area. This procedure may need to be repeated a few times.

Another option is surgery such as a tympanoplasty, in which a graft is prepared of your own skin. While your eardrum is healing, it is important not to blow your nose, which can damage the eardrum further. Do not clean the ears, and keep them dry when showering. Do this by coating a cotton ball with petroleum jelly and placing it inside the ear.