feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, congested or stuffed ears, specifically when doing things like yawning or swallowing. Can originate from the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, or due to problems in the internal auditory canal (IAC) and cerebellopontine angle area. Cerumen, debris, or hair in the ear canal can contribute to a sensation of fullness in the ear. In addition, some outer ear canal infections, such as fungal or yeast infections, lead to symptoms of ear fullness. These problems can be easily detected by microscopy and resolved by thorough cleaning of the ear canal by instrumentation or aspiration. Problems in the middle ear can include fluid, negative pressure due to a Eustachian tube dysfunction, an abnormally open (patulous) Eustachian tube, fixation of the ossicular chain or a mass or cholesteatoma in the middle ear. Increased inner ear fluid pressure, as seen in hydrops or Ménière’s disease can also result in a sensation of fullness. Often patients having a low frequency sensorineural hearing loss or experiencing a sudden sensorineural hearing loss will have a sensation of pressure in the ear. Other causes can include tumors (identifiable with an MRI or CT scan) or temporomandibular joint inflammation (TMJ).
