I went swimming a week ago. During this time, I got water in my ear. I was unable to get all the water out. My ear has felt clogged, sounding like I echo when I talk, or I can hear myself talking or crunching on food. Any suggestions?
Answer
This is due to the water in the external ear that has caused a difference in the air pressure between the middle ear and the external ear also called as barotraumas. This is the same mechanism that acts when we travel in aero plane and the difference in the air pressure at high altitude and our ears causes us to hear our own echo or even the ears to feel clogged. There is another tube called as the Eustachian tube in the middle ear that connects the ear to the throat and that which maintains the air pressure in the ear. By yawning this tube opens and equilibrates the pressure around the ear drum. Sometimes the tube gets blocked due to cold or ear infection and causes us to become giddy doe to disequilibrium and difference in the pressures. If this problem is on for a week, you need to show your doctor who will examine and remove any ear wax or may try insufflations of air into the ear or give medications for the same. You can read the article on OTITIS MEDIA on www.pediatriconcall.com to understand the anatomy of the ear or from the link given below: http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/CommonChild/Ear_problems/otitis_media.asp
Disclaimer:The information given by www.pediatriconcall.com is provided by medical and paramedical & Health providers voluntarily for display & is meant only for informational purpose. The site does not guarantee the accuracy or authenticity of the information. Use of any information is solely at the user's own risk. The appearance of advertisement or product information in the various section in the website does not constitue an endorsement or approval by Pediatric Oncall of the quality or value of the said product or of claims made by its manufacturer.
