Do you sometimes feel that your ears are stuffed with cotton? If you have ever flown, you are probably no stranger to the feeling of fullness in the ear. Indeed, this sign is known as "airplane ear" or Barotrauma, and it is caused by a rapid change in pressure (usually the result of changes in altitude). It is common among pilots, scuba divers, mountain climbers, and roller coaster enthusiasts.
The same sensation may mean that the ear is literally stuffed, with excess wax, bits of cotton swab, or even an unwelcome insect. On a more serious note, it can signal several medical conditions, including middle ear infection, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and cholesteatomas. Clogged ears can also be a sign of Meniere's Disease, an inner ear disorder that can cause periodic bouts of dizziness, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears. It can also signal Otosclerosis, a degenerative disease that affects bone in the middle ear.
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