Ear popping/clogging

I'm on day 13 of CPAP usage, and so far it's been going ok. I've experienced some ear popping during the first 10-15 minutes of trying to fall asleep, typically as my machine ramps up and the pressure changes. I need to occasionally take off the mask and yawn to pop my ears. Not a big deal really.

But today I woke up and my right ear feels like it is clogged up. I try to yawn/pop it with no luck. I've been walking around all day with this clogged up ear. I also have a wicked headache, which I had a few times a week before CPAP therapy but the headache is also concentrated around the clogged ear so I'm not sure it's a coincidence or not.

Anyone else get these all-day ear clogging problems? Any advice on how to avoid this problem?

FYI, I have no other ear issues, never had ear problems like this until starting CPAP.

What is your pressure setting?

It auto adjusts from 5 to 16.

Just wanted to bump this post and hope someone has some info/experience with this problem. I've gone a few days now with constant ear clogging, that feeling that I need to pop my ears but can't. It's getting really annoying, to the point where I'm debating taking a night off the machine to try and give my ears a break.

Does it Auto Adjust between 5 & 16 cmH2O or is that the ramp function starting at 5 and going to 16 and staying there?
I suspect the latter as the machine listed in your signature isn't an Auto Titrating unit.

Since you have the Escape unit you can't post details which would probably help figure out if something could be changed to help the situation.

EmberMike wrote:Just wanted to bump this post and hope someone has some info/experience with this problem. I've gone a few days now with constant ear clogging, that feeling that I need to pop my ears but can't. It's getting really annoying, to the point where I'm debating taking a night off the machine to try and give my ears a break.

This is not a frequently reported problem here.

Time to go see an ENT. He can stick a scope in there and have a look during your office visit.

You need to see your doctor.

Ear shouldn't stay clogged up from pressure this long.
If it is related to pressures used...you may need to adjust your maximum downward (I believe you have the Escape Auto with extremely limited data) and in this situation having full data is even more critical.

If the clogged up feeling can't be relieved by doing the usual stuff we do (like when changing altitudes or flying) then you need to see the doctor.
CPAP pressure can enter the inner ear via the Eustachian tubes and cause the clogged sensation but it shouldn't persist and not be able to be relieved in normal manner.
Something is wrong and you need to have it checked out to make sure it isn't something serious.

Thanks everyone. Guess I'll be calling the ENT tomorrow.

Hope there is a way to get past the ear issues. I'm already a bit discouraged from cpap in general, not feeling any positive effects from using it yet. So adding in these ear issues just makes an already unhappy situation worse.

Bama Rambler wrote:Does it Auto Adjust between 5 & 16 cmH2O or is that the ramp function starting at 5 and going to 16 and staying there?
I suspect the latter as the machine listed in your signature isn't an Auto Titrating unit.

Since you have the Escape unit you can't post details which would probably help figure out if something could be changed to help the situation.

It adjusts. Even with ramp off, it starts at 5 and slowly goes up. Usually hits around 10. If it goes to 12 or more I feel it too much and have to restart the machine.

Been sick recently, or have allergies?

pressure reducing ear plugs might help

cflame1 wrote:Been sick recently, or have allergies?

I'm prone to allergies but haven't had much of an issue with them yet. Usually around pollen season I get hit with allergy symptoms.

I did have a cold a couple of weeks before I started CPAP, but that was resolved by the time I went on the machine.

As already said, the Eustachian tube (also known as 'pharyngotympanic tube') connects the pharinx to the middle ear. The purpose of this tube is to equalize the pressure in the the middle ear with the atmospheric pressure.

Each time we yawn or swallow, we hear a small popping noice in BOTH ears - at that time the pressure gets equalized. If this does not happen then the tube is probably swollen and cannot open.

Common results are infections (more common in children).
So in addition to yawning, try to swallow and listen to what the more experienced people said about seeing a doctor and reducing the pressure

EmberMike wrote: FYI, I have no other ear issues, never had ear problems like this until starting CPAP.

Lots of things are connected in the body. I had a problem for months with CPAP blowing air and tears out one of my eye ducts. This was very annoying and would wake me up with that tear duct gurgling and spewing. I tried several things but nothing worked and the eye doctor was no help. Eventually it went away on its own. May you have such luck but in the meantime an ear exam is called for.

EmberMike wrote:I'm already a bit discouraged from cpap in general, not feeling any positive effects from using it yet.

You need to get a machine with data capability - most of us have them.

It could be that you are still having a lot of apneas. The pressure could be set wrong or you may have large mask leaks. Data will help you diagnose the problem and do something to improve your situation.

Best of luck!

I get similar ear problems to yours from time to time, mostly due to a long standing case of 'surfer's ear' aggravated by CPAP. I went to an ENT about a year ago and he Rx'd me Ciprodex eardrops, which is a drug that reduces inflammation in the ear canal. I don't think it's an antibiotic, but maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong? My ear problems tend to flare up in a mild way from time to time however I've gotten so used to it that it doesn't seem to bother me much anymore. I realize my suggestion of 'eardrops' and 'getting used to it' doesn't seem like custom tailored advice, however it did work for me. Regarding my case of surfer's ear, my ENT stated that the cure may be worse that the disease... IOW, he didn't feel I needed surgical intervention due to possible complications... but then I'm not a doctor - you should seek professional advice for your specific case.