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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Cure Blocked Ear And Cackling Noise While Swallowing?

Hi, I have a cold but my left ear feels very blocked and I get popping/cackling noise when I swallow or move my head. I also recently took a flight which made my ears very painful during landing. The bunged feeling in my ear seemed to get worse after the flight. Should I be worried or will it clear up once my cold has passed? Many thanks
Tue, 26 Aug 2014
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi, by your history it looks like you are suffering from eustachian tube obstruction (tube which connects middle ear with nose, helps to normalise middle ear pressure), during cold due to edema this tube gets blocked there by causing uncomfortable feeling or pain in the ear, when you travel in air during this condition it will worsen it due to high negative pressure in middle ear, which cannot be relieved by blocked tube. So my suggestion for you is to take nasal decongestant (systematic or local) and if you can't avoid air travel during this time you can have a chewing gum while on flight since chewing/yawning opens the tube, take care.
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How To Cure Blocked Ear And Cackling Noise While Swallowing?

Hi, by your history it looks like you are suffering from eustachian tube obstruction (tube which connects middle ear with nose, helps to normalise middle ear pressure), during cold due to edema this tube gets blocked there by causing uncomfortable feeling or pain in the ear, when you travel in air during this condition it will worsen it due to high negative pressure in middle ear, which cannot be relieved by blocked tube. So my suggestion for you is to take nasal decongestant (systematic or local) and if you can t avoid air travel during this time you can have a chewing gum while on flight since chewing/yawning opens the tube, take care.