If your ears feel clogged on a regular basis or are unsure about the cause, talk to your healthcare provider. While many causes are harmless and easy to treat, some may require medical intervention to prevent further complications.
Experiencing clogged ears can be frustrating, especially when it seems to happen out of nowhere. While the common cold or Eustachian Tube Dysfunction can often be the culprit, there are other reasons why your ears feel clogged, blocked, or muffled.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the more common but less obvious causes of that clogged ear feeling and what you can do about it.
Your ears produce earwax (cerumen) as a natural defense mechanism. It protects the ear canal from dust, dirt, and other foreign particles. However, too much earwax can accumulate and harden, leading to a sensation of fullness or blockage.
What to do: If earwax buildup is making your ears feel clogged, your healthcare provider may recommend medicated ear drops or utilize professional removal techniques, such as suction or a curet. Don’t try to remove earwax with cotton swabs. That can sometimes make things worse, pushing the wax deeper into the ear canal.
Some ear infections may only cause a sense of fullness or clogging in the ear. These infections can occur in different parts of the ear, such as the middle ear (otitis media) or outer ear (otitis externa, also known as swimmer’s ear).
What to do: If you suspect you’re dealing with an ear infection, consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment and follow their recommendations.
If you’re thinking, “My ear feels blocked, and I can't hear properly,” it may be that a gradual decline in hearing ability is the root cause. As hearing diminishes, especially due to age-related hearing loss, sounds may feel muffled or distant. This sensation can be confused with congestion or blockage, even though the ear canal is clear.
What to do: If you’re noticing persistent muffled hearing, schedule a hearing test. If hearing loss is detected, hearing aids can make a significant difference.
Our online hearing test is a good place to start, but if you think you have hearing loss, it’s important to make an appointment with a nearby hearing care provider for a more thorough examination. Use Amplifon's clinic locator to find one near you.
Surprisingly, problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint that connects your jaw to your skull, can contribute to ear pressure and make your ears feel clogged. The TMJ sits directly under the ear canal and can impact your ears and hearing. TMJ disorders often cause pain or discomfort around the jaw, but they can also affect the nearby ears.
What to do: Addressing TMJ issues often involves dental treatment, physical therapy, or exercises to relax the jaw muscles.
Occasionally, a foreign object—like a tiny piece of cotton from a swab or even a small bug—can become lodged in the ear canal, leading to discomfort and a feeling of blockage. This is more common in young children but can also happen to adults.
What to do: If you think something might be stuck in your ear, do not to try to remove it yourself. Seek medical attention to safely and effectively clear the obstruction.
That said, if you are dealing with a pesky bug in your ear, you can try tilting your head to the side and gently shaking it out.
Barotrauma occurs when there's a sudden and significant change in air or water pressure around you, such as during a flight, scuba diving, or driving in mountainous areas. If your ears feel clogged and ringing, it’s likely due to unequal pressure on either side of the eardrum.
What to do: Equalizing the pressure in your ears through yawning, swallowing, or using the Valsalva maneuver (very gently blowing while holding your nose and mouth closed) may help. If the issue persists, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
While allergies are often linked to congestion and colds, they can directly affect the ears by causing inflammation or fluid buildup, leading to ear discomfort, itchiness, and that clogged sensation.
What to do: Managing your allergies with antihistamines or other allergy medications can help reduce ear-related symptoms.
If your ears feel clogged on a regular basis or are unsure about the cause, talk to your healthcare provider. While many causes are harmless and easy to treat, some may require medical intervention to prevent further complications.
Not sure if you have a hearing benefit? Our team can help you find out!
