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Why Do Ears Plug With a Cold?

If you have ever been suffering from a cold and noticed that your ears feel like they have cotton in them, it is probably because they are all plugged up. The excess mucus that accumulates in your nose, throat and chest can also build up in your ear canal; making your hearing sound muffled. The pressure in your ears can also cause pain.

  1. What is a Cold?

    • According to Kids Health.org, a cold is an upper respiratory infection that is caused by a virus known as a "rhinovirus." Cold can be transferred through infected mucus droplets that enter the air through coughing or sneezing, or by touching an object that is harboring the infection. A cold usually causes a runny nose, cough, sneezing, low-grade fever, chills and a sore throat.

    Eustachian Tubes

    • Eustachian tubes are responsible for controlling air pressure in your middle ear. James M. Steckelberg MD explains that the Eustachian tubes run from the middle ear and into the back of your nose, and usually open and close upon yawning or swallowing. An overflow of mucus caused by a cold can cause the Eustachian tubes to become blocked; throwing air pressure off balance. This condition is known as "Eustachian tube dysfunction" and can make your ears feel like they are plugged up.

    Eardrum

    • Eustachian tube dysfunction can affect the ear drum by pushing it forward when fluid pressure increases. According to Baylor College of Medicine, this scenario can cause pain and hearing impairment. A build-up of bacteria may even result in infection. A combination of all or some of these conditions can make you feel like your hearing is muffled or that your ears are plugged up.

    Treatments

    • Treatments for Eustachian tube dysfunction usually include the use of oral decongestants and nasal sprays that can help open up Eustachian tubes and allow for proper air flow. According to Baptist Health Systems, a steroid nasal spray may also be recommended by a doctor in cases of extreme inflammation. If a bacterial ear infection presents itself, an oral antibiotic may be necessary to help resolve the infection and relieve the ear pressure that is making them feel plugged.

    When to Seek Medical Attention

    • The pressure that causes your ears to plug is usually a temporary side effect of the cold you are experiencing. In fact, most cases of plugged ears often resolve themselves once the cold virus has left the system. The Clinical Advisor.com reports that if your ear symptoms linger for an extensive time or if pain persists, it is important to see your doctor right away.

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