Question 1

i have plugged ears and a cough at night after a cold, what can i do to treat this?

Accepted Answer

Decongestant: If you don't have a blood pressure problem, a decongestant preferably with a mucus thinner like Guaifenesin would be a good start. This should help ear congestion and help cough. If no relief, see primary doctor.

Question 2

i live in high elevation and am dealing with a cold.  my ears are plugged and open/close as i go higher then lower..pressure too any help? flying soon

Accepted Answer

Oral decongestants: such as pseudoephendrine may help. For flying consider a decongestant nasal spray immediately before boarding and keep it handy during flight in case you develop an ear or sinus block during descent. Avoid using it more than 3 days in a row. Thanks for trusting HealthTap!

Question 3

1 month ago had cold and left ear's still plugged. got audigram that showed low freq in 50 db, january were 15-20. could this be otosclerosis or cold?

Accepted Answer

Viral infection: If the left ear plugging or hearing loss started with a cold why would you think of otosclerosis.  If a competent doctor observes the ear drum and there is fluid in the middle ear, then a drainage procedure can cure you.  Middle ear fluid can also cause a low frequency conductive hearing loss.  Otosclerosis or stapes fixation occurs over many months or years.  See and ENT doctor.

Question 4

i flew 3 days ago with a bit of a cold, my ear is still plugged, will not pop, painful, can't hear. need to fly again in a few days, what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Decongest and saline: Your eustachian tube is clogged and filled with fluid. Use any 12 hour decongestant nasal spray ( 2 sprays/nostril ) every 12 hours for 3 days, then stop. You can use nasal saline   spray every 3-4 hours and over then counter claritn or Allegra to dry the mucous.  Advil as need for pain.

Question 5

why do your ears pop or plug up after a head cold ?

Accepted Answer

Ears popping: The reason for the popping is that pressure builds up in the inner ear because there is inflammation around the eustacian tube.  The eustacian tube helps let pressure out.  Fluid build-up may also be contributing.  Decongestants can help.

Question 6

stapedectomy 8y ago w/ great results. now left ear's plugged 1 month after cold, audiogram 50 db in low freq (january were 10). is otosclerosis back?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: I'm assuming the issues are with the operated ear, not the other ear. If the hearing decreased fairly rapidly with a cold and still feels plugged, and if your hearing loss is a conductive one (should be able to tell on audiogram), then it's likely fluid under the eardrum. If your ENT does not see any fluid, there could be a problem with the prosthesis having separated/eroded through the incus.

Question 7

hi i'm just wondering if i need to go see a dr about this. i have a cold and at one point i sneezed and my right ear felt like it plugged up. when i t?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: A good idea! Hope all goes well!

Question 8

i feel like my ears are plugged but i can hear still.  i also feel like i have pressure in my head.  what is it? i also have a cold i think.  everything seems to have a higher pitch to it.

Accepted Answer

When : When you have a cold; congestion, mucus and swelling can cause the eustachian tubes to stop up.  The eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of your nose. That can give the feeling of being plugged up.  The pressure in your head is also likely to be from congestion.  You can use something like afrin (oxymetazoline) nasal spray to help reduce the swelling. However it should not be used more than twice a day for no longer than 3 to 5 days maximum to avoid developing chronic congestion problems due to the medication. I can only use afrin for two days before it becomes ineffective. You can also use over the counter decongestants.

Question 9

i have a cold complete with "the greenies" (phlegm) and a plugged right ear. is it ok to use the neti pot in this case?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You may still use neti pot. In fact, your ear pain may be due to plugged sinuses and neti pot may help relieve the pressure. Also, postnasal drip is a recognized cause of cough and neti pot eliminating it may help your cough as well.

Question 10

3 months ago dx middle ear effusion, steroids helped, had bad cold and the whooshing and plugged feeling is back. its been a few weeks, what can i do?

Accepted Answer

Sinusitis?: It sounds to me like you have a long-standing eustachian tube problem.As you are an adult,an anatomical defect is unlikely.Have yourself seen too again.In the interim,a daily longlasting ant-histamine with a decongestant should help.Good old steaming with hot water is also an option.

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Doctor answers about:

Ears plugged up from cold

A member asked:

I have plugged ears and a cough at night after a cold, what can i do to treat this?

A member asked:

I live in high elevation and am dealing with a cold. my ears are plugged and open/close as i go higher then lower..pressure too any help? flying soon

A member asked:

1 month ago had cold and left ear's still plugged. got audigram that showed low freq in 50 db, january were 15-20. could this be otosclerosis or cold?

A member asked:

I flew 3 days ago with a bit of a cold, my ear is still plugged, will not pop, painful, can't hear. need to fly again in a few days, what should i do?

A member asked:

Why do your ears pop or plug up after a head cold ?

A member asked:

Stapedectomy 8y ago w/ great results. now left ear's plugged 1 month after cold, audiogram 50 db in low freq (january were 10). is otosclerosis back?

A member asked:

Hi i'm just wondering if i need to go see a dr about this. i have a cold and at one point i sneezed and my right ear felt like it plugged up. when i t?

A member asked:

I feel like my ears are plugged but i can hear still. i also feel like i have pressure in my head. what is it? i also have a cold i think. everything seems to have a higher pitch to it.

A member asked:

I have a cold complete with "the greenies" (phlegm) and a plugged right ear. is it ok to use the neti pot in this case?

A member asked:

3 months ago dx middle ear effusion, steroids helped, had bad cold and the whooshing and plugged feeling is back. its been a few weeks, what can i do?

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