What does it mean when you can hear your heartbeat in your ears?

Ear infections can be really painful as the middle ear cavity is really small, about only 1. 5 cm3 volume. So when fluid and infection builds up behind the ear drum, the pressure and inflammation can be excruciating. In some cases, the ear drum bursts, which relieves the pressure, but to allow the perforation to heal, the infection would still have to be treated. If it is a viral infection, antibiotics do not help.

Thank you for your question. Yes, Q-tips or any other cotton buds are not meant to be inserted into the ear canals as they are too big! You will end up pushing your earwax deeper into the ear canal or may damage the lining of the ear and cause an ear infection. I’ve also seen broken Q-tips lodged in the ear canal or puncturing the eardrum! It sounds like you may have developed an ear canal infection (also known as otitis externa) and given topical antibiotics by your GP.