My left ear is blocked after face lift. Is this normal?

This is a very common question following facelift.  Most commonly, it is caused by swelling as a result of surgery done around the ear itself and will resolve over time.  Before I started using cotton balls to plug the ear canal during facelift, I found that many patients would get some dried blood in the canal that would contribute to the feeling of a muffled hearing.  Sometimes, however, patients have a preexisting wax build up in the canal and the ear plugs used during surgery can actually push the wax further down and also contribute to the feeling of a muffled hearing.  Both of these issues will resolve with drops (such as debrox), time, or even getting your surgeon to remove the dried blood or wax under magnification with a special instrument or suction.   

If the external auditory canal is not protected during the facelift blood can sometimes drip in and create an obstruction. This will need to be cleaned. It's possible a cotton ball was placed in the external auditory canal for protection and simply was not removed. In any event report this to your plastic surgeon.

 Sometimes during a facelift blood will get in the ear and dry in the canal.   it is possible that this is the case with your situation. I would discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and have them take a look in your ear before you do anything.   

It could be one of several things:1)  some dried blood in the ear canal2)  swelling around the ear making it feel "blocked"3)  cotton or xeroform dressings in the ear canal.See your surgeon, and have him/her take a look in there with the otoscope.

Because there is often blood in the ear canal after facelift surgery, most surgeons will put a cotton ball or gauze packing in the ears (before the incisions are made) to protect them, and that can also include protection during the hair wash and bandaging process. I have left them in and had to remove them later when the patient asks me about it. Mention this to your surgeon!Or, if there was no cotton ball or packing, it could indeed be a bit of dried blood. Gentle rinsing with warm water/peroxide or Cerumenex ear drops will help this rinse away. Or you could ask your surgeon to take a look and perform the required rinse.Either way--ask your surgeon! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

This is usually caused by some blood in the ear canal which got in there during the surgery. Put your head to one side and place some hydrogen peroxide into the ear.  Let it sit there for a couple of minutes - you will hear it fizz as it dissolves any clot.  Then turn your head to the other side to let it run out.  If it is dried blood, you will see reddish fluid come out and the hearing should be better.  Might need to repeat once or twice.  If no improvement, have your surgeon take a look inside.    

This actually happens more frequently than we like to admit.  The clogged feeling is probably either a piece of vaseline gauze or some dried blood inside the ear canal.  It's pretty simple to remove and cleanse the area.  Ask your plastic surgeon to have a look when he removes your sutures.

This is something that can happen often and it will resolve on its own accord. Your PS could have a look in your ears to reassure you. 

Hey there, Thanks for your question! There might be some blood or debris in your ear canal. I recommend you see your plastic surgeon to have it checked out as soon as possible. Best wishes, Dr. Mentz

A blocked or plugged ear is very common to see after a facelift surgery. It is almost always the result of some dried blood in the ear canal. Occasionally, a cotton ball that may have been placed in the ear canal can push some preexisting wax further down and that can lead to the plugged sensation.Using a Q-tip with some hydrogen peroxide and gently cleaning in a circular motion can help to remove some of the crusting. It is important not to push the Q-tip in too far. Alternatively, you can ask your surgeon to take a look. If it is ear wax, that can be removed by a qualified Facial Plastic Surgeon or ENT Surgeon.While it would be extremely unusual for a hearing loss to develop as the result of a facelift, swelling around the ear canal can also cause a sensation of ear blocking. That should improve with time as the swelling resolves.