Home Remedies for Ear Fullness

by Garreth Myers

Ear pressure or fullness and ringing of the ears are very common. More often than not, fullness of the ear is caused due to excess wax accumulation.

However, there are other reasons that cause ear fullness. Listed below are some of the causes of ear fullness and ringing.

A buildup of wax
Infections by bacteria, fungus or virus.
Vertigo
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Ostosclerois (abnormal bone growth next to the middle ear)
Ear barotrauma (damage in ear due to pressure inside and outside the ear; this occurs due to altitude changes)

Treating the cause of ear pressure usually helps relieve the problem to a large extent. In this article, we will discuss some of the home remedies which might help clear your ear out.

Ear fullness is not something to be anxious about; simple practices and home remedies are usually adequate to deal with this problem. However, if the ear pain is very severe or the swelling is high or if there is a severe infection, it is best to check with an ENT specialist as ear fullness could be an indication of a more serious ear problem. Listed below are some home remedies for ear fullness experienced due to wax, pressure and infections.

To Remove Wax: Regularly softening the wax inside the ear and removing it is necessary. This can be done by applying a few drops of oil inside the ear. You could even use an over the counter product that contains hydrogen peroxide to soften the wax. For heavy wax buildup, you may need to do this for about a week. Once the wax is softened, inject a bit of warm water into the ear, the wax will then start to drain out of the ear, cleaning the ear completely.
To Relieve Pressure: It is quite normal to experience some pressure in the ear when the altitude changes. For instance, when driving up or down a mountain or flying, it is normal to experience ear pain and ear fullness. This can be avoided by simply chewing a toffee, sucking on candy, or even sipping a drink. Very young children can be fed bottle formula or even nursed during the journey to avoid the building up of pressure. Another quick way to relieve the pressure is by inhaling deeply, closing the nostrils and mouth, and exhaling slowly.
To Relieve Pain: Warm compresses are great for relieving pain and the feeling of fullness in the ear. They also help in draining the fluid accumulated due to infection or injury.

Listed below are some common home remedies.

Squirting a few drops of garlic infused oil into the ear helps not only soften the wax but also kill any bacteria present. You can infuse a bit of garlic into regular oil by adding a clove or two into the oil and heating it. Just make sure that the oil is not hot while pouring it into the ear.
A few drops of peppermint juice is believed to help relieve the pressure in the ear. You can make peppermint juice by crushing a few peppermint leaves either with a pestle and mortar or by grinding it in a blender.
Hydrogen peroxide is another home remedy to reduce inflammation and pain associated with ear infections. This also helps to soften wax present in the ear, making it easier to remove.
Sesame seed oil mixed with ginger juice or bishop’s weed is also another home based remedy for fullness of ear.

Home remedies are great for managing mild cases of ear fullness. However, if your condition is more serious, it is best to get your ear checked with a reputed ENT specialist.

References

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Next Article: How To Get Rid Of Throbbing Ear »