What are the reasons for having blocked and muffled ears following a COVID-19 infection?

Question

Hello doctor,

My left ear feels blocked. I recently had a COVID-19 infection and in about three days, my ear began to feel muffled. There is nothing in my ear but when I look up it unblocks but if I look forward or bend down it gets blocked again. I experienced a similar issue about seven months back but last time my ear was just blocked, and I was not able to unblock it even if I looked up. Now, I have tried popping it, but it has been of no use. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am here to extend a helping hand to you.

This seems to be a eustachian tube dysfunction. In this, the ventilation to the ear is interrupted due to the blockage of a small tube that connects the ear to the back of the nose known as the eustachian tube.

The reasons could be as follows:

An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) which is very common.
Allergy or rhinitis.
Growth in the postnasal space such as in case of a nasopharyngeal cancer (especially if unilateral).

This can usually unblock by itself, and you will feel ventilated within a few weeks.

I suggest you do the following:

Use a decongestant nasal spray or drops for five days like Xylometazoline. Use two puffs twice a day for five days.
Do the Valsalva maneuver (ear popping).

Kindly follow up in a week to reassess the symptoms and if you do not get better, please do the suggested investigations.

I hope I have resolved your queries. Do get back if you have any further queries.

Thank you.

What are the reasons for having blocked and muffled ears following a COVID-19 infection?

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Company

Customer Care

Get iCliniq