3 Causes of Narrow Ear Canals: and How to Fix it.

Narrow ear holes / canals can cause them to get blocked with wax, get infected and prevent good hearing. In this video I describe the three most common causes of narrow ear canals and tell you how ENT Surgeons fix them. To make it easier to understand I have drawn them out so you can understand the anatomy as well. I will describe the common meatoplasty types of operation.
If you are interested in having your ear canals fixed, please contact your GP and ask them to refer you to your local ENT service who will be able to do all of these operations for free on the NHS. If you want to see me on the NHS please ask your GP to refer you to Queens Hospital in Romford, Essex. I will be happy to see you free on the NHS from anywhere in the country.
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** Disclaimer - The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. **

[@NigelDThompson]

Fascinating. I am fortunate in that I do not suffer much with my ears yet, save for some minor tinnitus. My nemesis seems to be my ticker. I do enjoy your videos and It sure is a great way to provide such calm and considered explanations of all things your patients might need help with. Great job👏🏼

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Many thanks!

[@robertphillips2492]

I have narrow ear canals and have suffered with chronic and severe ear infections and wax build-up for many years. However, this past two years I’ve found a routine which has fixed things for me. First I saw an ENT specialist who treated and cleared the infection and noticed excema. Now I never get water into my ears…. I pop cotton wool into the ear opening each time I shower. I also wipe a small amount of Dermol around my ear canal openings each day, also using a cotton bud to carefully wipe the Dermol just inside the canal too ( not deep). I’m prone to excema on this area so I occasionally need to use a little hydrocortisone cream but I limit this to 2 or 3 days a month to avoid thinning the skin. If you suspect that it’s your ears itching that triggers your infections (maybe you’re scratching at them etc) then ask your doctor if there is eczema present. Once I managed the eczema, my ear canal problems cleared up and I never have any wax build up.

[@dianeburgess8699]

Great cleanse and peeling. Well done 👏❤️

[@finlear3320]

Brilliant information thank you I take many of your tips into clinic 😊

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

That's kind of you to say, thank you.

[@mikeharrison1868]

Thanks for this. I have narrow ear canals, and am having troubles with the receiver bit of a Receiver in Canal hearing aid. Not excruciating, but definitely painful after they've been in for a while. Ear canal - particularly the right one - gets inflamed and swollen. I've never had a problem with ear infections - at least not since I was a kid (and only a few times them). I had accumulated some ear wax, which I got removed prior to getting hearing aids. (Probably to be expected, given that I'm 67.) Removal was tricky because of narrowness (and hairyness!) of ear canal. But it got done. However, I haven't been able to settle with my hearing aids. I know it takes a while for the brain to get used to the new sound, and I'd expect to take a little while to get used to wearing hearing aids per se (but I've not had a problem). But there shouldn't be significant pain. Thoughts?

[@DrMartinYoung]

I use the ‘M-meatoplasty’ technique for chronic otitis externa, hearing aid fitting issues etc. It’s a brilliant operation. When it comes to exostoses, I’m concerned to hear that you drill, rather than chisel, them away. Every study we have on drill and suction noise suggests levels anywhere from 100-120 dB, and every study we have on NIHL risk suggests that at 120dB one can get damage within two minutes, 100dB fifteen minutes, for surgery that takes some surgeons three hours for one ear. And that exposure is to both cochleae. The chisel method avoids this risk entirely, can be done endoscopically on both ears in one sitting, and patients love you for doing so.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I might try that meatoplasty one day, thank you. I agree it is strange that drilling in the ear for hours seems not to cause hearing loss. I've just looked now at the medical literature and there seems to be no hearing loss unless there is vibration damage to the cochlea via the ossicular chain. agreed that exposure to those levels of noise whilst awake causes damage, but weirdly not if you are anaesthetised. even when I have done this under local anaesthetic I haven't seen anyone with hearing loss yet. I agree it is very strange that this does not happen. I trained with the chisel but I prefer the drill as in my hands it is a lot quicker. it only takes a minute or so for each exostosis. thanks for your comment.

[@DrMartinYoung]

Vik, as I have an interest in surfers ear and see patients from all over the world I have met those who have suffered hearing loss due to the drill. And permanent tinnitus. I think ENTs who drill don’t see their patient for the follow up to diagnose the loss. The patients don’t want to come back to them! I guess if we practiced in the same area I would send you my OSAS patients in exchange:)

[@LondonSoundSystem]

Effortless expressive nature, underlined with humility, competence and charm. I wonder, do you, or is there any person you can recommend that deals with this, as part of mid facial complex of under development that includes a high and narrow maxillary arch and other mouth breathing related issues?

[@truthseer2525]

Thanks for the great video :) I recently went to get the wax build up removed. I was told I have very narrow ear canals and she had difficulty fitting her instrument in. I'm 29 and had swimmers ear a few times as a kid . After removing the wax the lady told me I have redness towards my ear drum . I don't have any pain , what causes redness? Thanks Frances Qc,Canada

[@amirgroove6518]

would widening ear canal reduce tinnitus?

[@slg716]

I've been told I have narrow ear canals that are also curvy. I've also been dx with TMJ. Can surgery fix curvy canals? Is there any association between TMJ and narrow canals? Thanks so much!

[@gailclay2078]

Very interesting. Thank you for another great video.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

So nice of you

[@susanavenir]

You make such wonderful videos - thank you!

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Glad you like them!

[@MikePelham]

I have narrow ear canals that often get infected and have wax buildup - not sure which type of narrowing but I did surf a lot in my youth in England. I've also developed tinnitus over the last 10 years - constant very high pitch. I can live with it but the diagnosis is its caused by loss of hearing . I'm sure I have some of that at my age (69) but nothing that worries me. I read that any ear surgery has the possible complication of causing tinnitus and I certainly wouldn't want it to get any worse so I'm very wary of anything like this.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

you could ask your surgeon not to fill up your ear with packing after the operation (the temporary hearing loss caused by the packing normally causes the tinnitus). but i suspect that will be hard if your narrow ear canals have been caused by infection.

[@mikekaraoke]

Hey Vic, I'm from England in Kent! Did post on one of your very old videos from July of 2018, so thought would message on this most recent one instead! To cut a long story short was going to get Endoscopic Sinus Surgery/Septoplasty(have only some deviation to septum) but got given Cipro for a UTI from a locum GP back in April played with my joints/tendons, nerve damage and gave me swelling on chest/wrists so op had to be cancelled! + still waiting on my rheumatology appointment. Which been waiting for months now due to the backlog and should be seen next month or early Jan! My CT scan from Darent Valley showed full mucus fluid in left maxillary sinus, and some left frontal sinus + retention cyst in right maxillary sinus which was told retention cyst should be left as they are asymptomatic! There was talk of me having endoscopic sinus surgery done on local on left nostril but said these sprays will do it which they done couple of things and calmed them down but that is it but not for rest like with my hearing, and mucus fluid still there at the back of the nose which is rather annoying + my swollen gland under left side of my jaw which is obviously due to the infection! Also getting postnasal drip esp when I eat, and my both my ears pop/crackle when I swallow and have have a ringing sound in both my ears which vary in sound throughout the day/evening! + swollen gland I have under my left jaw which is obviously due to the infection! I was then seen in London at Guy's recently bout having turbinate reduction but was told i could be the kind of person that could get ENS if taken too much off. I got given dymista/Rina nasal spray which has reduced both my swollen turbinates apart from a little bit of bottom of the right one and stopped some of my postnasal drip and that is it and some of headaches I had twice a week and not gone but reduced my swollen gland! eustachian tube balloon dilation + balloon sinuplasty on local, so could my ENT Miss Toma send you a referral from Darent Valley as they just so that with General even turbinates as well and no other option which I find rather weird and would you like a copy of my CT scan as well?? Kind Regards Mike

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

happy to see you on the NHS.

[@mikekaraoke]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon Hey Vik, thanks for your very quick reply! I also forgot to mention I can sometimes hear my heartbeat in my ears which sometimes stays in my left ear then other times in my right. That is called: pulsatile tinnitus if I remember right. That is brill my appointment with Mss Toma at Darent Valley not till Jan so will ask her to make a referral straight to you then 👍 Would you come to Darent Valley as some ENT do from other areas, or would I have to come to Romford??

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I'm afraid I don't have a job share with your hospital. I also work at Royal National ENT Hospital UCLH which is even further from you.

[@mikekaraoke]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon Not a problem Vik, I will travel to you then at Royal National ENT! Will get my ENT Miss Toma at Darent Valley to make a referral to you so she will be in touch in the new year 👍 Isn't the nearest station Tottenham Court Road/Euston?? As I said did get a referral from Darent Valley to Guy's then got put on these sprays and ENT person there said not going to do my turbinates as could be one of those people to get ENS + no need for endoscopic sinus surgery in left nostril as sprays will do the trick! Since taking them sprays left turbinates have all shrunk and right ones nearly have but the bottom bit of the right one is a little bit swollen still! Oh sorry I thought you worked in the Romford hospital still lol

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Romford is the place I could do all of that. I only do sleep surgery at UCLH. Then again there are a lot of people who could help you at UCLH if you want to go there, Jonathan Joseph, Samit Unadkat, Peter Andrews etc.

[@andreaws2]

Thank you for this post! It was exactly what we were looking for!

[@tomkmb4120]

Hey Vik, interesting that this came up for me. I've been told that my ear canals are particularly narrow. "Swimmers ear" I was told by my doc, despite not being a swimmer and not having even been swimming since I was a child (im 32 now). I find myself getting frequent wax build ups and have to use a combo of olive oil sprays, bicarbonate soda sprays and occasionally something like Otomize or Acetetic Acid if there is any irritation. It does get frustrating because it's price to have the sucking to remove the wax and it's also frustrating to have to choose between being partially deafened regularly or paying around £50+ to have it sorted out.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

it is difficult to work out when you should have an operation over just carrying on with what you have. Very personal decision. think it through carefully.

[@skhfit]

I had the same problem. Went to the dr up until last year with a cost of 320$ with new insurance for ear wax cleaning …. Nope learned to do it myself ! I use the elephant from amazon and a meal prep try on my shoulder to balance it out and then the Debrox drops , takes 15 min each side

[@bigteno4597]

Excellent explanations, many thx Doc.

[@dianeburgess8699]

Very, very interesting. Thank you 👏❤️

[@Nicki749]

That was so informative! Very helpful, thanks so much.

[@RNRSeries-Mysuru]

Sir, Will cervical spondylitis also cause narrow ear canals? I have got such problems in my right ear. Please do reply.

[@lentsgyrl64]

Does this cause a squishy noise in my neck area? This is the best way I can describe what I’m experiencing. I can’t tell if it’s in my neck or ear. I hear it when I turn my head. Thank you in advance for responding!

[@bilal1790]

Hii When are you going to do the video on ENS?

[@ahmadsadeq4530]

Doctor, i think i have ear canal narrow because when i feel with my finger the canal feel so small at early canal about inside i dont know yet. I afraid to meet the doctor right now. Can i ask few questions, if its true that i must have a surgery what about the Wound on the inside will it heal quickly? Second, what if the wound not healed yet but the ear canal has Earwax? Its dangerous isn't because earwax are dirty not good for wounds Third, because i have Tinnitus just 3 month ago just new so i afraid if because of surgery my Tinnitus become more volume up. Right now that Tinnitus become familiar with me and the sound is quiet slow not at first time hear maybe because of rehabilitation. But what about after Surgery?

[@yaminikumari7984]

Great,informative, helpful video 👍👌. Can cauliflower ears also have narrow ear canal? Can it be treated only with medicine instead of surgery? Is it curable in homeopathy also? *

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

cauliflower i guess can cause narrow ear canals. The swelling and new cartilage formation can block the ear hole. I'm not aware of any medicine that can deal with it. I'm no expert at homeopathy I'm afraid. thanks for your comment.

[@janemurphy9806]

I knew it…my hearing loss is due to cartilage slip in one ear. You said it is a simple surgery and could be paid for in Britain. I am elderly and live in Ireland…where could I get help?

[@Numberoneiosgameplay]

Hi Dr Veer, I have a question unrelated to Narrow ear holes, but I was wondering if you have any recommendations for treating the "nasal cycle"? I've had chronic sinusitis since early 2020 and am seeking advice. Example: tossing and turning at night when one nostril gets congested, and the other opens. I was traditionally a back-sleeper before this started happening, and consequently I then try to find relief by side sleeping to relieve congestion. The left nostril gets congested when sleeping on left side, then turning to right side and then right side nostril gets congested almost immediately. I suspect this is due to gravity, this has made sleeping almost impossible for me over the years and I have bad insomnia now because of it. I've heard online that it is maybe caused by the A.N.S. and taking a B1 supplement can possibly help, but I've not found any other relief. Do you have any thoughts?

[@satnamkaur1134]

Hi wow so helpful so easy to understand 😊 is it possible to see u on a appointment has my daughter has that problem and she isnt happy to go doctors thank u

[@healthiswealth3081]

I have a strange hearing problem. If I drink coffee my hearing is perfect. If I have an energy drink / pre work out of caffeine in a capsule with a lot of water my hearing sounds somewhat muffled when people talk and like everything is too loud. More water seems to worsen the amplification. Going back to coffee fixes the problem. Coffee also drys my skin and causes eczema around the ear and scalp, so I have issues either way. It's crazy. Im going to try to quit caffeine but not sure how I will stay awake.

[@gigilagous8020]

Wow what a big mess all the things your pointing out lol I have a small ear canal When I left up my ear I hear better!

[@darrenvojak5608]

Hi, i have bilateral exotoses with some narrowing of the ear canal , no other issues, though can this cause tinnitus? Which i have Thanks

[@qamarkhan9272]

Can i meet you boss my hearing is messing my hearing nerves getting weak day by day how to stop it ?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Happy to try, please get a referral to Queens Hospital, Romford, i'll see you free on the NHS.

[@alfalders3020]

Dear Dr Vix. I’m in Australia. Ear “suctioning” is taking off. I think that’s what it’s called. A small “vacuum” is applied to the ear and wax etc is removed, so it is said. Do you have any thoughts on this method? All the best, Alf Oldis.

[@mariamnajmatabassum5415]

Hi Dr. Vik I have a problem. My ear canal is so much narrow so, whenever I clean my ear ,my ear will block and after some time automatically it will open. But this time my ear blocked But not opening and whenever I am yawning it's painting so much. What should I do.

[@its.just.connie_3]

NO EARBUDS or PLUGS WORK 😢

[@keren1126]

My ear canals are narrow because my jaw condyles are too far back when I bite.

[@KT-sv6jx]

💡 Interesting 🤔 My Grandma Has Narrow Ear 👂 Canals And Also Has Jaw Issues Thank You For The Information!

[@monikawaldhauser8192]

I feel tightness in my jaw and now developed tighter ear canals. 🙄 Good to know I'm not alone.

[@monikawaldhauser8192]

I feel tightness in my jaw and now developed tighter ear canals. 🙄 Good to know I'm not alone.

[@josephinemiller68]

Well, first of all if they’re having infections that is a direct result of their diet. Not enough green vegetables and too many carbs or processed foods and sugar. I can tell you from my own experience that it is not an issue if you are eating healthy.