4. Chronic Middle Ear Infection
If you have a middle ear infection, it means the area right behind your eardrum is inflamed. You may have an earache, a feeling of your ear being ‘full’ and fluid drained from your ear. If this occurs regularly it is a chronic infection. If it does not clear up, it can cause damage to the ear. The blockage is due to the Eustachian tubes being blocked. They run from the ear to the back of the throat, which is why if you see a sinus or ear specialist, that doctor is usually called the ‘ear, nose and throat specialist’.
In severe cases, the infection is not confined to one ear but besets both ears. The most severe cases can lead to hearing loss and affect the cranial nerve in the face. Mostly, Eustachian tube blockage is caused by allergies, sinus infections, excess mucus, swollen adenoids, and changes in air pressure that are quite quick. This is why you should see a doctor if you experience ear problems when flying.