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General health information

Blocked ear

A blocked feeling in the ear is often caused by earwax, a cold, pressure changes or fluid, but may also mask sudden hearing loss. Put nothing into the ear. Hearing that suddenly becomes clearly worse over hours or a few days, especially on one side, needs urgent assessment the same day.

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  • A blocked ear may result from earwax, swelling of the ear canal, pressure changes, a cold or fluid behind the eardrum.
  • Sudden inner-ear hearing loss may feel the same and needs assessment the same day.
  • Do not try to look deep inside the ear yourself, and do not use cotton buds, sharp objects or ear candles.
  • Drops or irrigation are not safe for everyone, especially after surgery, with ear tubes (grommets) or with a possible hole in the eardrum.
  • A hearing test helps distinguish causes when the reason is unclear or reduced hearing persists.

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Sudden hearing lossSudden hearing loss in one or both ears can result from earwax or middle ear problems, but also acute damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve. Unexplained sudden sensorineural hearing loss needs medical and ENT assessment the same day; early steroids may be appropriate.
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Hearing lossHearing loss can develop gradually or suddenly and affect one or both ears. Earwax, middle ear problems, noise damage, age and diseases of the inner ear or hearing nerve are possible causes. Sudden hearing loss needs medical assessment the same day.
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Ménière’s diseaseMénière’s disease is an inner ear condition with attacks of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in one or both ears. New loss of neurological function, sudden deafness in one ear or dizziness clearly different from previous attacks requires prompt assessment.