Fact Checked
Clogged ears can be irritating and there is difficulty in hearing and can make the individual uncomfortable. Clogged ears can be caused by swimming, common cold and accumulation of excess earwax.
Symptoms of clogged ears
- A feeling that there is something or an object that is stuck in the ear and causes blockage of hearing.
- Pressure in the ear.
- There is a feeling that there are fluids that is sloshing inside the ear.
- Popping or crackling sounds can be heard when the jaw is being moved, when tilting the head and when lying down.
- Pain that can be felt around the area of the ear that spreads down into the neck.
Several causes
- Throat infection, tonsillitis and common cold
- Diving in the sea
- Viral and bacterial infections
- Infection of the sinuses
- Changes in the pressure of air
- A rapid descent from a high altitude
- Ruptured or perforated eardrum
- Swimmer’s ear where the water is trapped in the ear canal
- A severely impacted earwax
- Infection of the ear or otitis media
- Swelling lymph nodes
- Presence of a boil in the outer ear canal
Treatment and home remedies
- Encourage the individual to perform the Valsalva maneuver in order to relieve stuffiness and pain in the ear by closing the mouth and pinch the nostrils closed using the fingers and then take a deep breath. Blow the nose and avoid doing it too hard since it can damage the eardrum. Blow the air out of the nose in order to regulate pressure of air. If done correctly, there is a slight popping sound and the Eustachian tubes are again open.
- Apply olive oil on the ear in order to help soften the hardened earwax for easy removal.
- Warm pure olive oil and with a dropper, place a few drops of the lukewarm olive oil into the affected ear and let it remain for 10 minutes in order to soften the hardened earwax. Keep the head sideways and use ear buds to remove the oil and the hardened ear wax. This should be done gently in order to avoid damaging the delicate organs. Baby oil can also be used instead of olive oil.
- Apply warm compress on the affected ear. The heat helps loosen clogged ears, loosen sinus congestion caused by common cold and lessen the pain. Soak a washcloth in warm water, wring out excess water and place on the affected ear for at least 5-10 minutes. Take note that this helps lessen the pain and promote drainage of the fluid. Wrap a hot water bottle using a thin towel and apply it over the clogged ear at least 5-10 minutes in order to help relieve the pressure and open up the clogged ear.
Additional measures
- Pour hot steaming water in a bowl and add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender essential oil. Cover the head using a towel and inhale the steam slowly in order to help open up a clogged ear.
- Take a hot shower for 10 minutes since this help in relieving clogged ears.
FACT CHECK
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/stuffy-ears-sinuses#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-unclog-ears
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/plugged-ears/faq-20058092