Brief Answer:
Keep ear dry and do valsalva maneuver.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the query.

Blockade like feeling of the ear like a cotton wool plug can be because of debris/fungus/wax in the external auditory canal. Other than this, eustachian tube dysfunction or fluid collection in the middle ear can also lead to such symptom but usually there is a history of preceding upper respiratory tract infection.

Unfortunately we may not be able to narrow down on the precise cause without careful ear examination. Hence I will recommend you see an ENT surgeon. If there is anything in the ear canal, it can be cleaned easily. And if the ear canal is clean, the colour, sheen and few other findings can suggest some collection in the middle ear.

Entry of water in the ear canal adds to the problem because of swelling of any of these. Therefore I would advice against you instilling ear drops or water. Please keep the ear as dry as possible. You can try valsalva maneuver (blowing a balloon or chewing a gum) which can help in opening up the eustachian tube.

Feel free to ask another query.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
A long standing effusion warrants expert advice

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.

If your symptoms are persisting for more than a month and valsalva and mucolytics are helping but still the problem has not resolved, its all the more important to see an ENT as this points to the dysfunction of Eustachian tube/otitis media with effusion (collection of fluid).

A prolonged persistent collection in middle ear can lead to adhesive changes in which ear drum can get plastered over the underlying bone.

To prevent this, evacuation and ventilation tube placement may be required and ENT can assess the need for that.

Allergy and sinusitis makes one more prone to this problem and thus should be treated.

Feel free to ask another query.

Regards

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