Why do my ears feel clogged? - Harvard Health (2024)

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Why do my ears feel clogged? - Harvard Health (2024)

FAQs

Why do my ears feel clogged? - Harvard Health? ›

Clogged ears can also result from swollen or blocked eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. This can happen for brief periods during air travel, but also due to allergies, sinus or ear infections, or other respiratory viruses (including COVID-19).

What does it mean if your ears always feel clogged? ›

Decongestants or antihistamines may sometimes help. Common causes of clogged ears include changes in altitude or atmospheric pressure, eustachian tube dysfunction, ear infections, and fluid, foreign objects, or earwax blocking the eustachian tube. Most of the time, these problems are easily diagnosed and treated.

How can I quickly unblock my ears? ›

Treatments include:
  1. Over-the-counter medication such as nasal sprays, decongestants or cold or sinus medication.
  2. Inhaling steam.
  3. Taking a hot shower or placing a warm compress over your ear to get steam into your ear canal.
  4. Gently moving your finger up and down in the ear that is blocked. ...
  5. Ear drops.
  6. Ear irrigation.

Why do my ears feel muffled? ›

Common causes of blocked or plugged up ears

Why is sound muffled when there doesn't appear to be anything inside your ear canal? The causes can range from the earwax to allergies to infections (yes, including COVID) to more insidious conditions like an anxiety disorder or Meniere's disease.

What will an ENT do for clogged ears? ›

The surgeon makes a tiny incision in the ear drum using a small scalpel or laser, then suctions the fluid out of the middle ear. The doctor inserts a small tube in the incision in the eardrum to allow fluid to drain.

When should I worry about my ear feel clogged? ›

A blocked ear due to congestion and middle ear pressure changes will, in most cases, clear up naturally as your sinus function, cold or flu resolves. If you are experiencing pain or fever or any other symptoms of concern, err on the side of caution and follow this up with your local GP.

How do you unblock the eustachian tube? ›

Yawn or open your mouth widely as if you were yawning. Eating and drinking may also mobilise the Eustachian tube to allow some air travel through the tube. Valsalva and Toynbee manoeuvres can be done to push some air into middle ear, take a deep breath, pinch your nose and close your mouth, and gently pop your ears.

What medicine will unclog my ears? ›

Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, and hay fever and other respiratory allergies. It is also used to relieve ear congestion caused by ear inflammation or infection. Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Why does my ear feel clogged but no wax? ›

Clogged ears can also result from swollen or blocked eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. This can happen for brief periods during air travel, but also due to allergies, sinus or ear infections, or other respiratory viruses (including COVID-19).

How to drain inner ear fluid? ›

Effective home remedies for safe fluid drainage include jiggling the earlobe, using gravity, creating a vacuum, using a blow dryer, trying ear drops or sprays, trying more water, inhaling steam, and gargling with saltwater.

Will a clogged ear go away by itself? ›

But a clogged ear is typically temporary, and your ear will likely clear on its own within a few hours or days depending on the cause: Fluid: If your ears are clogged by water or another fluid, they will often clear quickly. Air pressure: If the blockage is caused by air pressure, it may take a few days to go away.

Can heart problems cause blocked ears? ›

Clinicians should be aware of the atypical presentation of angina that may be life-threatening cardiac ischemia. Ear pain and fullness could be the sole presenting symptoms in certain patients with ACS. These atypical symptoms should be included in the evaluation of patients suspected of having acute cardiac ischemia.

Can a doctor unclog your Eustachian tube? ›

In some cases, people need surgery for a blocked eustachian tube. The doctor makes a small cut in the eardrum to drain fluid and to make the pressure the same inside and outside the ear. Sometimes the doctor will put a small tube in the eardrum.

What is the best position to drain your ears? ›

Elevation (aka sleeping upright)

Sleeping sitting up can allow fluid in your ear to drain easier, as well as easing pressure and pain in your middle ear – the likely source of the infection itself. Try propping yourself up on a stack of pillows, or better yet sleep in a reclining sofa or armchair.

Can an ENT see if your Eustachian tube is blocked? ›

Your doctor may use a variety of techniques to diagnose patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction while viewing your ear drum (tympanic membrane). Your doctor may ask you to breathe deeply and swallow to see how the ear drum responds. Your doctor may also measure the pressure inside your ear using specialized tools.

What happens if my ears won't pop? ›

When pressure builds up in the ears, people can usually relieve it by yawning, chewing gum, or wiggling the jaw. If these do not help ears pop, a person may need a nasal spray or other medical treatment. From altitude changes to ear infections, there are many reasons why pressure may build up in the ears.

How do you self help a blocked ear? ›

How you can treat earwax build-up yourself
  • Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
  • Put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil in your ear – do not use almond oil if you're allergic to almonds.
  • Continue to lie on your side for 5 to 10 minutes after putting in the oil.
  • Repeat 3 to 4 times a day, for 3 to 5 days.

Can hydrogen peroxide unclog an Eustachian tube? ›

Hydrogen peroxide drops can help soften and loosen ear wax buildup, facilitating its removal.

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