Ear pressure is a sensation of fullness or blockage inside the ear. It occurs when the Eustachian tube becomes blocked or stops functioning properly. The Eustachian tube is a thin tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. This tube balances the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum. It also helps clear secretions from the middle ear. The Eustachian tube opens during chewing, swallowing, and yawning. This helps prevent a buildup of air pressure inside the ear.

The sinuses are a network of hollow cavities inside the skull. Their primary function is to produce mucus, which helps moisturize the nasal passages and trap pathogens from the air a person breathes. Sinus congestion is the medical term for the buildup of mucus in the sinuses.

Some potential symptoms of sinus congestion include:

A sensation of pressure or pain in the ear, a stuffy nose, green or yellow nasal discharge, a diminished sense of smell, headaches and toothaches, pain, swelling, or tenderness around the eyes or forehead. A person may develop sinus congestion as a result of viral infections such as the common cold or the flu, sinus infections, and allergies.

Ear Infections

Some ear infections can cause ear pressure. Some of these infections will be summarized in the following sections.

Middle Ear Infection

Middle ear infection is an infection behind the eardrum. This condition causes fluid to build up behind the eardrum, which can lead to a sensation of pressure in the ear.

Some possible symptoms of middle ear infection include:

earache, fluid draining from the ear, a feeling of fullness in the ear, hearing loss, and fever. Although it is common in infants, it can occur in people of all ages.

Fungal Infection

Excessive moisture can lead to excessive growth of bacteria and fungi. These types of infections are more likely to occur in people whose earwax production has decreased due to excessive use of cotton swabs. Fungal ear infections can cause symptoms such as discoloration of the outer ear, itching, and discharge from the ear.

Earwax Buildup

Earwax helps clean, protect, and lubricate the ear canal. However, earwax can sometimes build up and cause a blockage against the eardrum. This can lead to the following symptoms:

ear pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear, muffled hearing, partial hearing loss that worsens over time, ringing in the ears, itching, and pain.

Earwax buildup is usually caused by a person using cotton swabs or similar items to try to remove earwax. This actually pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal.

Flight and Pilot’s Ear

Rapid changes in altitude and pressure can block the Eustachian tube. As a result, the Eustachian tube will be unable to equalize the pressure inside the middle ear with the pressure outside the body. The pressure difference creates a vacuum that stretches the eardrum. This can cause the following symptoms: ear pressure, ear pain, fluid buildup in the ear, temporary hearing loss, and dizziness. These symptoms may occur during activities such as air travel, riding in an elevator, scuba diving, and driving in the mountains.

Home treatment for sinus congestion includes the following:

Inhaling steam, using saline nasal rinses, trying nasal sprays, applying a warm compress to the nose and forehead, taking antihistamines for allergies, and taking antibiotics for sinus infections.

Dr. Nuran Kalekoğlu Erkalp