I had a car accident on Friday. On Friday evening I went to the ER and CT scan was done. My ears were incredibly clogged and I felt like my whole head was underwater. ER doc said I had chronic mastoid disease. I have not had repeated ear infections at all. I was pretty surprised. Is it possible that trauma to my head could have unleashed any encapsulated bacterial cells? I'm now feeling better, although left ear is clogged, no pain, no dizziness.