Last month, we discussed ear barotrauma. This week, we want to share about the risk factors of ear barotrauma and why people are popping ears themselves. Orlando ENT doctors here at Orlando ENT Hearing Center are well equipped to examine, diagnose, and treat ear pain.
Ear barotrauma in review:
In our last three blog posts, we shared some causes of ear pain. Possibly, these blogs go you thinking about what may have started yours. However, most people just wait for the pain to go away after a day or so.
If the pain persists, it usually hinders a person’s attention span, ability to sleep well, and attitude. Ear pain can affect a patient’s over ability to function normally. It can be quite painful.
Like most symptoms, it is the body’s way of commuting to you. Ear pain is basically saying “something is wrong”. You are usually sick or have an infection when you experience ear pain.
Unless you have suffered a trauma injury to the ear due to sports, a car accident, or another diagnosed issue, ear pain usually is not seen as a lonesome symptom. Ear pain travels with friends. People usually experience dizziness, hearing difficulty, temporary loss in hearing, pressure in ears, or even nosebleeds.
Risk factors for ear barotrauma include:
- allergies
- colds
- flu
- active infections
- young age
Young children and small babies are more at risk to this condition. Children’s eustachian tubes are much smaller than adults and are positioned in a different way than adult’s tubes. This is why children have more ear infections than adults.
Their eustachian tubes get blocked more easily. Similarly to adults, children’s ear hurt during take-off and landings. They usually cry as they feel ear barotrauma because they do not know what to expect.
For younger children, try talking to them. Advise them to swallow or open their jaw wide to pop their ears safely. This is the natural way to release the pressure in the ear, if there is not an infection.
When you are feeling ill, the same motion will pop your ears safely. Always, speak to an ENT specialist at Orlando ENT Hearing Center before trying any new tips or tricks.
Eight ways people try popping ears themselves:
Now, we are not going to advise anyone to try these methods. As always, visit your otolaryngologists at Orlando ENT Hearing Center for permission to do so. Everyone has a different case and may cause damage to their ears by trying any at home tips or tricks.
However, we are going to share the many ways people try to “pop” their ears on their own. While traveling on a plane, you may have realized you experienced an immediate relief once you yawned or swallowed hard. This is because it popped her ears gently and naturally.
The next one is truly a popping method. The valsalva maneuver is more forced than the yawning technique. This move included pinching your nostrils shut and shutting your mouth.
To do this one, you must keep your mouth shut and your cheeks still. Do not puff out your cheeks. This will cause your ears to pop. This happens because this move generates pressure in the back of your nose which helps open the eustachian tube.
Always speak to your ENT doctor first:
Again, if you have suffered any ear trauma or have implants, be extra careful when doing any sort of trick. Always discuss these moves with your ENT specialist first.
The toynbee maneuver is similar to the valsalva maneuver. It starts off the same way. Pinch your nose shut and keep your mouth closed too. However, this move involves swallowing instead of blowing out air. This method may be more affective than the valsalva for some people.
Holding a warm washcloth over your ear may help alleviate congestion in your eustachian tube. This method may also be soothing. For those experiencing a cold, allergies, or the flu, this method can be simply helpful in relaxing.
Your doctor may also recommend and discuss the following options:
- nasal decongestants
- nasal corticosterioids
- ventilation tubes
Thanks for stopping by! Check out next week’s post as we continue this hot topic. See you next time!
Staff Writer
