Blocked Ears when Singing?

For several months now I've occaisionally had the weird sensation of my ears been blocked whilst I've been singing. When I say blocked, what I mean is that sensation you get in your ears when you're descending in a plane and if you swallow it usually clears it. Almost always it affects my right ear, but occaisionally it affects the left or both ears. Just recently it's become a lot more frequent so that almost every time I start singing high my ears just suddenly feel blocked. Swallowing sometimes helps clear them, but not always, and obviously I can't swallow constantly whilst I'm singing! It's really disconcerting because it affects how I hear myself when singing and I'm getting very frustrated with it. It sometimes also arises when I'm not even singing!

I'm starting lessons with a new singing teacher this afternoon so am planing to ask her advice about it and am also considering going to the doctor's about it. Has anyone had a similar problem?! Thanks

Reply 1

hannah_dru

2

I've had random blockages in my left ear when I've been going out. Mine has also been quite frequent lately, and is sometimes cleared with swallowing or a drink. I went to my doctor about it, but she didn't do much. She just put a thing in my ears, told me I was fine and that it was probably air inbalance.

Reply 2

hippieglitter

19

I get it sometimes when i sing high but not often. I'm not sure there is anything you can do about it.

Reply 3

The Strangest Quark

I get exactly the same thing in my left ear when in the shower, cycling or standing up after doing sat-down exercise. It's slightly uncomfortable, and I can hear my own breathing very loudly in the affected ear.

Reply 4

pumpkin7

13

dunno, but i wake up deaf every morning.. hmm.

Reply 5

Hoofbeat

OP

14

The Strangest Quark

I get exactly the same thing in my left ear when in the shower, cycling or standing up after doing sat-down exercise. It's slightly uncomfortable, and I can hear my own breathing very loudly in the affected ear.

Yeah that's excatly what I get! My singing teacher says that it's just a resonance thing and that it's nothing to worry about.

Reply 6

spartakist

14

People block their ears when I sing...

Reply 7

miniminstrels

I would like an answer to this too. It's really annoying that after I have been singing for a while my right ear feels blocked. Not completely deaf, but just that aeroplane feeling.....very distracting.

Reply 8

Smile516

I have the same problem....mostly my left ear...sometimes happens when I'm talking. ...but every time when I sing....
Anyone have any solutions?

Reply 9

maria.x

3

They get blocked sometimes when I wake up.

Reply 10

Inogen

I get the same - blocked feeling in the right ear when I sing high notes - has NO ONE got an answer to this?!

Reply 11

Kindred

20

Original post by Inogen

I get the same - blocked feeling in the right ear when I sing high notes - has NO ONE got an answer to this?!

My best bet would either be a wax blockage shifting a bit when you stretch (like with high notes). If that is the case olive oil drops should help.
Or, pressure changes like you will often experience with a cold or on a plane. In this case the high notes would be like yawning. In that case, this might help
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-my-ears-pop-when-I-sing

You could always ask a dr about it next time you see them to see if they have a better answer :smile:

Reply 12

3121

21

I’m sure people wish they could block their ears when I sing

Reply 13

Inogen

Original post by Kindred

My best bet would either be a wax blockage shifting a bit when you stretch (like with high notes). If that is the case olive oil drops should help.
Or, pressure changes like you will often experience with a cold or on a plane. In this case the high notes would be like yawning. In that case, this might help
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-my-ears-pop-when-I-sing

You could always ask a dr about it next time you see them to see if they have a better answer :smile:

Thank you, I will try the exercises.

Reply 14

Elfinsbl21

1

I have the exact same problem when I lecture. It's very hard to keep going because you can't judge your own voice very well. Seen a couple of doctors, but no help. If anyone figures this out I would love to know.

Reply 15

Jerian

1

You may be blocking your nose more than you know. I've been trying to remember not to do this because I get so focused on where i want the sound to go that i forget and block the air to my nose

Reply 16

AliJane AliJane

1

I was wondering the same thing..right ear after singing practice..usually without microphone so lots of volume, plus different ranges, too..I was wondering to the extend that it was irritating me...if something was wrong..as this is fairly new this year..

Reply 17

Dan9335533

1

I have same problem mine is effecting my life and my voice I litterly can not sing no more! Well I can but my ears are never clear! It's the most frustrating thing EVER!!!! apperntky it's something to do with the sinuses try a nose spray it might help! I'm still to use mine but my prescription hasn't come yet but I understand your pain it's annoying as hell!!

Reply 18

LindyLessons

2

I’m a singing teacher-it’s definitely not a resonance thing. It’s a sort of eustacian tube disfunction. Some people have more trouble equalising pressure and in some cases fluids in the middle ear. You move your jaw around a lot when you’re singing and that causes slight openings of the eustachian tube and that’s what you’re hearing. Hope this helps...11 years later....

(edited 6 years ago)

Blocked Ears when Singing?

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