Ear Popping in Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Ear infections may arise for several reasons when you are expecting a child. Pregnant women may have a higher chance of getting an ear infection than nonpregnant women due to changes in their immune system and hormonal fluctuations. You may also experience ear popping in pregnancy, which often happens due to pressure changes or fluid buildup caused by these hormonal shifts. If anything like this happens to you, don’t get too worked up about it, as ear infections can be common during pregnancy.

However, if you do get an infection while pregnant, it’s crucial to see your doctor promptly. Failing to address ear infections can be detrimental to your health and that of your growing child, potentially leading to complications. Ear popping during pregnancy is also a common occurrence. Continue reading about ear popping while pregnant to learn more about managing and preventing these issues.

What Is Ears Popping? 

Ear popping is the term used to describe the sensation of hearing muted sounds due to changes in air pressure. You may have Eustachian tube dysfunction, which is causing your popping ears (ETD). Another option is that your ear has been clogged with wax and has to be cleaned out. Ear barotrauma (also known as barotitis medium) is the medical term for the condition that causes ears to pop. It leads to discomfort in the ear caused by pressure differences between the inside and outside of the eardrum (1).

Why and How Does Ears Popping Happen? 

The air pressure in and out of the ear is usually the same unless something unusual happens. The ear canal can become inflamed and difficult to access if the Eustachian tube becomes blocked. Its principal role is to balance the air pressure within the middle ear (2).

The Eustachian tube, on the other hand, may get clogged for several reasons. When this happens, there will be no equalization of air pressure in the Eustachian tube. Popping noises are caused by a difference in air pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment, which occurs in the middle ear.

A majority of cases of eustachian dysfunction and ear blockage sensation were seen in the third trimester of pregnancy (3).

What Causes Ears Popping During Pregnancy?

In general, being pregnant makes you more susceptible to diseases. Changes in your ear, nose, and throat that may occur during pregnancy may increase your chances of acquiring an ear infection, in particular if you have a cold or flu. A bacterial ear infection may occur due to a condition of either bacterial or viral origin. 

Some of the possible causes of ear popping during pregnancy include:

• Hormonal Changes: Increased estrogen and progesterone levels are seen during pregnancy. These hormones may affect your body’s immune system, making you more susceptible to sickness caused by bacteria and viruses than usual. Right now, it is not clear how hormones and viruses are linked in a precise manner. It is a widely held theory that fluctuations in sex hormone levels may impact the sensory nervous system, potentially affecting hearing thresholds in pregnant women (4).
• Increase in Blood Flow: As blood flow rises in your body, more fluid is retained in the body. Furthermore, as a result of this, there may be further implications. For example, you may have noticed that your nose gets swollen and congested when pregnant. If you have a lot of fluid in your nose and sinus, you may be more prone to getting an ear infection during your pregnancy.
• Vertigo and Dizziness: These are also possible due to changes in the ear that occur during pregnancy. 
• Meniere’s disease: A prior condition, such as Meniere’s disease, may influence your hearing and balance when you are pregnant.
• Weight gain: inadequate weight gain may also lead to Eustachian tube dysfunction due to a patulous tube during pregnancy. It is mostly observed in the third trimester (5)
• Seasonal allergies, colds, and flu: Seasonal allergies and diseases increase the likelihood of ear and other infections, but notably in children (6).

Signs and Symptoms of Ear Popping While Pregnant 

An inner ear infection or damage may result in the following ears popping early pregnancy signs and symptoms:

• Ringing in the Ears: The sound of the high-pitched ringing. This is the tinnitus sound that is most frequently experienced. Loud noise exposure, loss of hearing, and some drugs are all possible reasons.
• Ear Infections: If you have an ear infection, it is caused by either a bacterial or viral infection that infects your middle ear (the part of your ear that is immediately beyond the eardrum).
• Inflammation of the Ears: Otitis Externa is a disorder that causes inflammation of the outer ear canal (redness and swelling), the tube that connects the cochlea to the eardrum.
• Discomfort around the Ears: Flu, allergens, or a sinus infection may all cause the tubes in your middle ear to become clogged and ineffective. Otitis media is used when fluid builds up in the middle of the throat and becomes infected. It is by far the most prevalent reason for ear discomfort.
• Hearing Loss: A hearing loss may occur when any portion of the ear or auditory (hearing) function does not function in the manner that it is supposed to.
• Redness and swelling of the ear canal: Your ear, surrounding the cartilage, will be inflamed, reddish, and sensitive to the touch.
• Dizziness or imbalance: This is due to the interconnected nature of the ear, balance, and pressure regulation. Changes in pressure can affect the inner ear’s balance mechanisms, potentially causing temporary dizziness or unsteadiness, which can be uncomfortable but usually subsides as the ear pressure equalizes.

How to Manage and Treat Ear Popping During Pregnancy?

You may also choose to supplement your ear-popping treatment with other options for managing the same. For safe ear popping when pregnant, these pointers need to be carefully considered:

1. Depending on whether you have earwax or water lodged in your ears, a simple cleaning with an earbud may be all that is required.
2. Decongestants for the nose.
3. Oral medications.
4. Inhaling steam may assist in easing any popping sounds you may be experiencing as a result of sinus infection or allergies.
5. Applying heat packs to your ears might help to ease the pain and suffering associated with this condition.
6. It is also possible that yawning or chewing gum will prevent you from experiencing popping sounds in your Eustachian tube if you have to travel during your pregnancy (7).
7. The Toynbee maneuver is a great hack for opening the eustachian tubes. The process is: close your mouth, pinch your nostrils, and swallow (8).
8. The Valsalva maneuver is another technique that relieves pressure by forcing air through the eustachian tubes. The technique follows: close your mouth, pinch your nostrils, and breathe out forcefully, by not allowing any air to escape through the nose or mouth (8).

Home Remedies for Ears Popping When Pregnant

Treatment with home remedies may effectively alleviate ear-popping symptoms. For earaches, the following are some examples of home remedies to try:

1. Ear Drops: These are made from ruby alcohol and vinegar and are available (do not take this cure if you have additional concerns with your ears, such as damage to the canal)
2. Warm Compress: A hot water bottle or towel with herbal drops in it may be used in place of the traditional compresses to relieve the discomfort (clear this with an OB during pregnancy)
3. Steam: Inhaling steam is one of the quickest and most effective ways to remove plugged ears caused by a cold. The steam will aid in loosening and thinning the mucus, which will relieve your ear congestion and relieve your discomfort.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide: Using hydrogen peroxide is quite successful. Using a dropper, gently inject three per cent hydrogen peroxide into the infected ear.
5. Olive Oil: It is possible to apply a few drops of olive oil to the ear and leave it there for five to ten minutes. While keeping your head swivelling to the side, you may use cotton to remove any oil or earwax accumulated in your ears.

FAQs

1. Is Ear Popping While Pregnant Harmful to the Baby?

Ear popping while pregnant is generally not harmful to the baby. It’s usually a result of changes in pressure in the ear due to hormonal and physiological changes in the mother’s body.

2. Can You Fly During Pregnancy If You Experience Ear Popping?

Yes, you can fly during pregnancy even if you experience ear popping. However, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare provider before flying, especially if you’re in the later stages of pregnancy, to ensure it’s safe for you and your baby. They may provide recommendations to minimize discomfort, such as swallowing frequently, using earplugs, or taking decongestants if necessary.

According to specialists, ears popping in early pregnancy is considered more annoying than a cause for alarm. Consult your doctor if you are experiencing popping sounds in your ear to rule out any serious problems. Avoid using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to treat ear infections, and never puncture your ears with a sharp object. Did you have ear-popping when you were expecting a child? What process did you use to come up with a solution? Please keep the above-discussed points in mind to help you have a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Also Read:

Mouth Ulcers while Pregnant
Nosebleeds when Pregnant
Swollen Lymph Nodes in Pregnancy
Lumps in the Armpits when Pregnant

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Sources References

1. MedlinePlus – Ear barotrauma

2. Johns Hopkins Medicine – Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

3. PubMed Central – Otological manifestations in pregnant women – A study at a tertiary care hospital of eastern India

4. Sage Journals – Can Pregnancy Lead to Changes in Hearing Threshold?

5. PubMed Central – ENT Changes of Pregnancy and Its Management

6. Cedars Sinai – Ear Barotrauma

7. Mayo Clinic – Airplane Ear

8. Cleveland Clinic – How To Pop and Unclog Your Ears