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Loud Alarm caused ear to feel clogged / plugged?

AllEars79 posted:

At work, an alarm went off when someone tried to leave through an emergency exit. I had the wrong key and it took approximately 10 seconds to realize this key would not work. I went to find the correct key, came back, and shut off the alarm. After the alarm was off, I noticed that my right ear had a feeling of pressure, like when you go on an airplane. It feels clogged or plugged, but no ringing and no noticable hearing loss. A day later and it still feels plugged. Can a loud sound like an alarm cause this to happen or is it perhaps coincidence? We have had a lot of rainy weather and a temperature shift from near 90 to 50-60 in the last few days. Whatever it is, I am hoping it is temporary or it can be fixed somehow. Thanks for any help!

4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Loud Alarm caused ear to feel clogged / plugged?At work, an alarm went off when someone tried to leave through an emergency exit. I had the wrong key and it took approximately 10 seconds to realize this key would not work. I went to find the correct key, came back, and shut off the alarm. After the alarm was off, I noticed that my right ear had a feeling of pressure, like when you go on an airplane. It feels clogged or plugged, but no ringing and no noticable hearing loss. A day later and it still feels plugged. Can a loud sound like an alarm cause this to happen or is it perhaps coincidence? We have had a lot of rainy weather and a temperature shift from near 90 to 50-60 in the last few days. Whatever it is, I am hoping it is temporary or it can be fixed somehow. Thanks for any help!

Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:

This is an acoustic trauma, and yes, it can cause your ear to feel clogged. The good news is that this will most likely be temporary....you should be fine in a few days.

There are other reasons to have a clogged ear, such as Eustachian tube dysfunction, but this is unlikely to suddenly happen like your incidence.

There is really nothing you can do at this point, other than "wait it out", but see your medical provider if you are not getting better.

Report This| Share this:Loud Alarm caused ear to feel clogged / plugged?This is an acoustic trauma, and yes, it can cause your ear to feel clogged. The good news is that this will most likely be temporary....you should be fine in a few days. There are other reasons to have a clogged ear, such as Eustachian tube dysfunction, but this is unlikely to suddenly happen like your incidence. There is really nothing you can do at this point, other than "wait it out", but see your medical provider if you are not getting better.

AllEars79 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:

Thank you for the info! My ear has been feeling better. It's been alternating between nearly "unclogged" and feeling stuffy. It feels much better at the moment, maybe 75% "unclogged" so I guess it is healing. Thanks again!

Report This| Share this:Loud Alarm caused ear to feel clogged / plugged?Thank you for the info! My ear has been feeling better. It's been alternating between nearly "unclogged" and feeling stuffy. It feels much better at the moment, maybe 75% "unclogged" so I guess it is healing. Thanks again!

Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to AllEars79's response:

Yes....you are healing. You should be good as new shortly.

Report This| Share this:Loud Alarm caused ear to feel clogged / plugged?Yes....you are healing. You should be good as new shortly.

vladae responded:

Hi,
How do you feel know..i? had a simmilar citation ..4 weeks after one ear is 100 and second 85 % How long did it take for you ?
Vladae

Report This| Share this:Loud Alarm caused ear to feel clogged / plugged?Hi, How do you feel know..i? had a simmilar citation ..4 weeks after one ear is 100 and second 85 % How long did it take for you ? Vladae

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