John Fornadli, an ENT specialist and professor of surgery at Pennsylvania State University (USA), explained that ear congestion during a cold occurs due to compression of a special canal connecting the ear cavity to the mucosa. In this respect reports Live Science.
The doctor said that the deterioration in hearing was caused by the swollen mucous membrane in the nasopharynx compressing the Eustachian tube, the canal that connects the middle ear cavity to the upper part of the pharynx. When respiratory viruses enter the body, the immune response is triggered. To fight infection, the nose and sinuses increase mucus production as the tissues become inflamed, creating a stuffy, stuffy feeling.
The Eustachian tube equalizes the air pressure in the middle ear with the pressure outside. Sinus swelling and mucus can spread into the opening of this canal, causing it to narrow and become impermeable to air. Therefore, the pressure inside the ear will not correspond to atmospheric pressure, the eardrum will stretch and vibrate worse – hearing acuity will decrease.
The doctor explained that this situation was not dangerous and would go away on its own. But sometimes mucus buildup in the eustachian tube can cause a middle ear infection and worsen hearing problems.
Previous scientists I learnedHearing was found to deteriorate almost immediately as vision deteriorated.