{"id":525,"date":"2020-10-05T08:26:36","date_gmt":"2020-10-04T23:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/ustest\/why-are-my-ears-clogged-causes-and-treatment\/"},"modified":"2020-12-01T08:47:05","modified_gmt":"2020-11-30T23:47:05","slug":"why-are-my-ears-clogged-causes-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/ustest\/hearing-and-health\/why-are-my-ears-clogged-causes-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are My Ears Clogged? Causes and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have blocked ears but no other symptoms, read on. This article will explain some of the causes of blocked ears and your treatment options.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As always, if you\u2019re experiencing pain or discomfort and aren\u2019t sure why, it\u2019s best to seek advice from your doctor. They\u2019ll be able to give you a thorough check-up and hopefully get to the bottom of your symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#What_are_the_Symptoms_of_Clogged_Ears\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> What are the Symptoms of Clogged Ears?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_Can_Cause_Clogged_Ears\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> What Can Cause Clogged Ears?\u00a0<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Fluid_in_the_Ear\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.1<\/span> Fluid in the Ear\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Changes_in_Atmospheric_Pressure\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.2<\/span> Changes in Atmospheric Pressure<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Ear_Wax_Build-up\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.3<\/span> Ear Wax Build-up\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Objects_Obstructing_Your_Eardrum\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.4<\/span> Objects Obstructing Your Eardrum\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Does_Clogged_Ear_Go_Away_on_Its_Own\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Does Clogged Ear Go Away on Its Own?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_Treatment_Options_Are_Available\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> What Treatment Options Are Available?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#When_Should_I_See_a_Doctor\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> When Should I See a Doctor?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"What_are_the_Symptoms_of_Clogged_Ears\"><b>What are the Symptoms of Clogged Ears?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a clogged ear you\u2019ll generally experience a fullness or \u2018bunged up\u2019 feeling in your ears. You might also have some additional symptoms depending on the cause of your clogged ears, as we\u2019ll discuss below.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_Can_Cause_Clogged_Ears\"><b>What Can Cause Clogged Ears?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Fluid_in_the_Ear\"><b><i>Fluid in the Ear\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can get clogged ears due to fluid in your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/why-do-my-ears-feel-plugged-1191971\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eustachian tube<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (also known as the auditory tube). This might occur as a result of enlarged tonsils, adenoids, turbinates, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/blogs\/the-olive-branch\/why-do-i-get-ear-congestion-when-i-m-sick\">severe congestion from a cold or allergies.<\/a> You could experience a bit of hearing loss and in severe cases, you might feel ear pain or pressure and vertigo (a spinning sensation).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the Eustachian tube carries unwanted debris like mucus from the ears to the back of the throat (to be swallowed) it can become plugged when fluid is trapped in the middle ear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might be more susceptible to clogged ears from fluid than other people are if your Eustachian tubes are particularly narrow or small in diameter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fluid might go away on its own, but if it doesn\u2019t, you should see a doctor. They might decide to monitor your ears at three-month to six-month intervals to see if it eventually goes. Otherwise, you might be prescribed medications such as an antibiotic, antifungal, or antihistamine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the meantime, they might recommend some Over-the-Counter (OTC) painkillers and you can try some home remedies for ear congestion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your plugged ears are chronic, ear tubes (ventilation tubes) might be inserted via a myringotomy procedure done under anesthesia. This helps to drain any fluid out of the auditory tube.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Changes_in_Atmospheric_Pressure\"><b><i>Changes in Atmospheric Pressure<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in altitude can also cause clogged ears (this is known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/why-does-my-ear-feel-clogged#tube-blockage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barotrauma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This is because changes in ambient pressure can affect your Eustachian tube which helps to equalize the pressure between your middle ear and outer ear. At higher altitudes, the Eustachian tube struggles to equalize pressure properly, so you feel the change in air pressure in your ears.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might have experienced popping in your ears during lift-off on a flight, if you have gone scuba diving, or if you have done a similar rapid-pressure-changing activity recently. Usually, the sensation clears shortly after the triggering activity, but sometimes your ears can\u2019t re-adjust to atmospheric pressure &#8211; this can cause clogged ears.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The worst-case scenario is that changes in atmospheric pressure lead to a ruptured eardrum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll certainly know if your clogged ears are caused by altitude if you also begin to develop the symptoms of high altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea, and shortness of breath.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To prevent ear clogging due to atmospheric pressure changes, you need to let air in and open up your Eustachian tube by swallowing, chewing, or yawning frequently. You can also take a decongestant before a flight if you tend to struggle with this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have clogged ears due to altitude and start to experience pain, fluid drainage, or significant hearing loss, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Ear_Wax_Build-up\"><b><i>Ear Wax Build-up\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ear wax is necessary to protect your ears. It prevents debris and bacteria from entering your ear and cleanses the ear canal as part of your ear\u2019s natural cleaning system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is usually soft but can harden and block your ear. You can also produce too much wax, and some people tend to have a propensity for this more than others. Hearing aid users often experience issues with wax build-up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have too much earwax you might experience symptoms such as an earache, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/blogs\/the-olive-branch\/a-guide-to-tinnitus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tinnitus <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ringing in the ears), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/blogs\/the-olive-branch\/are-vertigo-and-hearing-loss-connected-causes-and-treatment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dizziness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an infection, and hearing problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&#8217;t try to remove excessive ear wax yourself. If wax is expelled from your ear you can gently remove this, but don\u2019t push anything into your ear as this can seriously damage fragile structures or rupture your eardrum. You also stand the chance of pushing wax further into your ear. Go to see your doctor as they can remove it with special equipment (a curette), irrigate your ear, or use ear drops to dissolve the wax.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the wax is not eventually removed, it can result in hearing loss further down the line.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Objects_Obstructing_Your_Eardrum\"><b><i>Objects Obstructing Your Eardrum\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although this is more common with young children and is unlikely to apply to you, it is important to acknowledge that objects can obstruct your eardrum, resulting in the sensation of a clogged ear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can see or feel something in your ear don\u2019t try to remove it yourself. Go to your doctor and they will be able to safely remove the object. If there is fluid draining from your ear or a foul odor, see your doctor immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Does_Clogged_Ear_Go_Away_on_Its_Own\"><b>Does Clogged Ear Go Away on Its Own?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned, a clogged ear can go away on its own, but this will depend on its cause. If your sensations are down to a cold or flu, it is worth trying some home remedies and seeing if your symptoms disappear as you start to feel better. If you have something in your ear, this will need to be removed. Take note of how long you have had symptoms for and if they continue for more than ten days, you should see a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, if you experience severe pain, discharge, or hearing loss you should see a doctor as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_Treatment_Options_Are_Available\"><b>What Treatment Options Are Available?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few effective home remedies and OTC medications (painkillers such as ibuprofen (Motrin), paracetamol, or naproxen sodium (Aleve) that you can try in the short-term before you see a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"When_Should_I_See_a_Doctor\"><b>When Should I See a Doctor?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your clogged ears don\u2019t clear on their own, appropriate treatment from a doctor might be required to prevent any long-term complications such as hearing loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you hear a popping sound, have severe pain, see fluid draining from the ear, have sudden changes in your hearing or balance, or experience hearing loss, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn more about the causes of clogged ears, see our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/blogs\/the-olive-branch\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other blog articles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b>The information in this guide has been written using the following reliable sources:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/why-do-my-ears-feel-plugged-1191971\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/why-do-my-ears-feel-plugged-1191971<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/why-does-my-ear-feel-clogged#treatments\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/why-does-my-ear-feel-clogged#treatments<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.widex.com\/en-us\/blog\/my-ears-feel-clogged-what-is-it-all-about\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.widex.com\/en-us\/blog\/my-ears-feel-clogged-what-is-it-all-about<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you have clogged ears and you&#8217;re not sure why, then this helpful article can give you an idea of what is causing them, and how you can treat them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":710,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v15.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/ustest\/hearing-and-health\/why-are-my-ears-clogged-causes-and-treatment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Are My Ears Clogged? 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