Sulfur plug is called the sulfuric substance accumulated in the cavity of the ear canal and overlapping it, which gradually becomes denser and as a result clogs it completely. Unfortunately, in most cases, a person begins to suspect about its appearance only when the cavity of the ear canal is already completely covered with sulfur. If the first symptoms of ear plugging are ignored, the situation will worsen, resulting in other, more alarming signs of ear plugging. However, it should also be borne in mind that the symptoms of a plug in the ear may indicate other diseases.
In no case should you close your eyes to the signs of a sulfur plug in the ear. If you feel unwell, you need to immediately consult with an experienced otolaryngologist. After all, if you do not start treatment in time, sulfur will block the channel, and this entails many extremely unfavorable consequences. So, let's look at how to identify a plug in the ear.
How to understand that there is a plug in the ear
You can find that your ears are clogged with sulfur by swimming in the pool or the sea without a special cap. This becomes especially clear after active diving. If there is a plug in the ear, its symptoms most often make themselves felt while washing your hair, as well as when you take a shower or a bath - at first they are reduced to partial or complete hearing loss. This is due to the banal absorption of moisture by sulfur and its swelling in the ear canal cavity.
In some cases, the owners of sulfur deposits learn about them only at a prophylactic appointment with an otolaryngologist. This happens because often sulfur plugs in the ears do not show symptoms and do not cause any discomfort. In order to find out whether you have them or not, you just need to slightly pull on the edge of the auricle and look deeply. If you see a clear cavity of the canal, then you can breathe a sigh of relief, because the presence of sulfur is easily determined by visual inspection. But if you notice small lumps in the depths of the canal, it means that you will have to visit a doctor in the near future.
You should not delay visiting a doctor until the moment when you can give an affirmative answer to the question of whether the ear can hurt from a sulfur plug.
Symptoms for varying degrees of ear congestion
How do you know if there is a plug in your ear? The most common and main symptom, indicating that it is inherent in sulfuric matter, is a gradual decrease in hearing acuity. When sulfur has accumulated a little and it does not completely block the auditory canal, its presence can be completely ignored for a long time. However, as the sulfur plug increases, the symptoms gradually increase:
- an echo of your own voice is heard;
- congestion is felt;
- hearing loss.
Symptoms vary depending on where the plug is located. If it is located near the tympanic membrane, then there is a risk that it will affect the nerve endings. In this case, the pain syndrome is provided. It can be supplemented by nausea and headache. Particular attention should be paid to a cough if it suddenly appears.
If the wax presses on the tympanic membrane, the following signs of a plug in the ear appear:
- tinnitus;
- periodic dizziness;
- painful sensations in the ear.
If no action is taken, the sulfur will continue to build up pressure. This is fraught with attacks of neuralgia - for example, a violation of the innervation of the heart muscle.
Diagnostics
Sulfur plug, the signs of which, as already mentioned, may not appear, is successfully detected by the otolaryngologist during the otoscopy procedure (as an option, microotoscopy). For examination, the doctor uses a bulbous probe, with the help of which he determines what consistency the sulfur substance has. In addition, the doctor carefully checks the condition of the tympanic membrane. He must exclude a perforated hole in it, which remains if the patient previously suffered from purulent otitis media in its acute or chronic form, as well as any other damage to it. What is it for? The choice of the method that will be used to remove sulfur depends on the integrity of the membrane.
Otoscopy is also useful in that it allows you to understand what exactly has blocked the auditory canal: sulfur, a foreign body, or a tumor.
Let's summarize
For prevention purposes, an adult is recommended to visit an otolaryngologist once a year. This will be enough to prevent ear plugs from forming. Symptoms and treatment of this trouble can be both mild and severe, depending on how long the person has delayed to see a specialist.
If there is a blockage in the ears, the symptoms in adults are quite noticeable in most cases. Immediately after their appearance, you must visit a specialist. The doctor will examine the external passage and, if an excess of sulfur is found in it, he will professionally clean it.
Those who have increased hair growth in the ear canal, as well as those who constantly use a hearing aid, should carry out such professional ear hygiene regularly. This will make it possible to avoid clogging.
