All About Blocked Ears: Causes and How to Treat Them

Sep 25, 2024

Article by Hearing Partners, contributed by Amalina, Clinical Audiologist at Hearing Partners

A blocked ear often feels like a persistent sense of fullness or pressure, as though there is an obstruction in the ear canal. This sensation can lead to muffled hearing, where sounds seem distant or unclear.

In this article, we’ll explore common causes of a blocked ear. We’ll also cover the treatment options, from home remedies to medical interventions, and address frequently asked questions about this sensation.

Causes of Blocked Ears
Treatment for Blocked Ears
FAQs About Blocked Ears

Causes of Blocked Ears

This section will cover the causes of blocked ears such as earwax buildup and ear infections.

Change in environmental pressure

The Eustachian tube plays a crucial role in equalising pressure in the middle ear by adjusting to changes in environmental pressure. However, when it fails to function correctly, it can lead to blocked ears. This often happens when there is a rapid change in pressure, such as during plane takeoffs and landings, driving through mountainous terrain, or while scuba diving.

Earwax buildup

The ear typically cleans out earwax through a self-regulating process where earwax moves from the ear canal to the outer ear and eventually falls out. However, excessive earwax production and narrow or curved ear canals can disrupt this natural cleaning process. Additionally, using cotton swabs to clean the ears can push earwax deeper into the ear canal.

When earwax doesn’t naturally clear out, it can accumulate and harden in the ear canal, leading to a blockage. This blockage is often accompanied by a range of symptoms such as muffled or diminished hearing, itching or discomfort, and occasionally tinnitus.

Foreign objects in the ear canal

Foreign objects can become lodged in the ear canal, leading to blocked ears. This typically occurs when small items, such as beads, buttons or even small insects, accidentally enter the ear. Loose pieces of cotton may also get stuck in the ear canal when cotton buds are used for ear cleaning.

Ear infections

Ear infections are categorised into two primary types: outer ear infections (otitis externa) and middle ear infections (otitis media).

Outer ear infections affect the ear canal and are often caused by bacteria or fungi, especially following water exposure or injuries to the ear canal. On the other hand, middle ear infections occur in the space behind the eardrum and lead to inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle ear.

Both types of infections can lead to a sensation of blocked ears. In outer ear infections, swelling and pus in the ear canal can physically obstruct it, creating a feeling of fullness. For middle ear infections, fluid buildup and pressure changes behind the eardrum can cause hearing loss and a sensation of a blocked ear.

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Eustachian tube dysfunction

Eustachian tube dysfunction occurs when the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, become blocked or fail to open properly. These tubes are essential for equalising ear pressure, draining fluid and protecting the ear from infections.

During Eustachian tube dysfunction, the balance in pressure is disrupted, leading to symptoms such as a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears, temporary hearing loss and discomfort.

Growth or tumours

Growths and tumours, like cholesteatomas and vestibular schwannomas, can result in a blocked ear.

A cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that can obstruct the ear canal and accumulate debris, leading to a sensation of fullness in the ear. On the other hand, a vestibular schwannoma is a benign tumour on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. As it grows, it can press against surrounding structures, causing a blocked or stuffy feeling in the ear as well.

Treatment for Blocked Ears

This section covers the various treatments for blocked ears, from home remedies to doctor-prescribed treatments.

Home remedies

Depending on the cause, you may be able to use quick and easy home remedies to find relief for blocked ears. Here are some simple solutions you can try.

Chewing, swallowing or yawning

Chewing, swallowing, and yawning are effective techniques for relieving blocked ears because they help open the Eustachian tubes. For example, when you swallow or yawn, the muscles around the Eustachian tubes contract or stretch, allowing them to open. Once the Eustachian tubes are open, trapped air or fluid can escape and pressure in the middle ear is equalised.

Create a vacuum using your hands

Creating a vacuum with your hands can help relieve blocked ears by equalising pressure between the middle ear and the external environment. To do this, cup your hands over your ears, pressing gently to create a seal. Then, slowly pull your hands away from your head to generate a slight suction effect.

The suction effect can assist in opening the Eustachian tubes, thereby regulating ear pressure and relieving the sensation of a blocked ear.

Valsalva maneuver

The Valsalva maneuver is an effective method for unclogging your ears and equalising pressure. It’s done by pinching your nose, keeping your mouth shut and gently blowing through your nose.

Applying a warm compress

Applying a warm compress to the ear can effectively alleviate the discomfort caused by blocked ears. Firstly, soak a clean cloth or towel in warm water and wring it out so it’s damp but not dripping. After that, place it over your ear and hold the compress in place for about 10 – 15 minutes. Ensure the cloth is not too hot to avoid any risk of burns.

The heat from the compress helps to increase blood flow to the area, which can facilitate the drainage of trapped fluids and reduce pressure in the ear. Additionally, the warmth can help relax the muscles around the ear and encourage the Eustachian tubes to open, equalising pressure.

Olive oil eardrops

Olive oil eardrops can help to relieve blocked ears caused by earwax buildup. Olive oil acts as a natural emollient, which softens hardened earwax, making it easier for the wax to naturally migrate out of the ear canal.

Begin by tilting your head with the affected ear facing upward and drip 1 – 2 drops of the solution into your ear canal. Maintain this position for 5 – 10 minutes to allow the oil to soften and loosen any earwax or debris. Afterwards, gently wipe away any excess oil from the outer ear and flush the ear with warm water using a bulb syringe if necessary.

Prescribed treatments

This section focuses on treatments prescribed by doctors or ENT specialists. These treatments are tailored to address specific causes behind ear blockage and range from medication to invasive treatments like a tympanoplasty.

Ear irrigation

Ear irrigation is a procedure designed to clear excess earwax or debris from the ear canal, alleviating discomfort.

The doctor will first use an otoscope to examine your ear for earwax buildup. If earwax is detected, they will use a syringe filled with a mixture of water and saline to irrigate your ear. This will cause the earwax to flow out of the ear canal and into a dish or basin.

Medication

Antibiotics help relieve blocked ears caused by a bacterial infection. They directly kill the bacteria, reducing inflammation that might be contributing to the blockage.

Allergy medications, such as antihistamines, address ear blockage caused by allergies. These medications reduce inflammation and congestion in the ear canals and Eustachian tubes, resolving the blocked ear.

Nasal decongestants

Nasal decongestants relieve blocked ears by reducing swelling and congestion in the nasal passages. They shrink blood vessels in the nasal tissues, which opens the Eustachian tubes. This allows trapped fluid to drain and restores normal ear pressure.

Tympanostomy

Tympanostomy is a quick surgical procedure that allows fluid to drain from the middle ear. During the procedure, the ENT specialist will make a small incision in your eardrum and insert a tiny metal or plastic tube to drain the fluid.

The tubes generally stay in place for 6 – 18 months before either falling out on their own or being removed surgically. Once the tubes are removed, the small hole in the eardrum will heal and close naturally.

FAQs About Blocked Ears

Will a blocked ear go away on its own?

A blocked ear often resolves on its own within a few days if the underlying cause is temporary. An example would be changes in pressure causing Eustachian tube dysfunction.

However, if the blocked ear persists for more than a week or is accompanied by severe pain, significant hearing loss or discharge, it’s important to seek medical attention. Persistent symptoms may indicate a more serious condition, such as a middle ear infection, that requires professional evaluation and treatment.

Is it normal that my ears have been blocked for a month?

Having blocked ears for a month is not considered normal and suggests that there may be an underlying issue that needs medical attention. Timely medical intervention can help prevent complications and safeguard your hearing health. Book an appointment with our hearing care professionals today.

Can a blocked ear result in complications?

Yes, a blocked ear can lead to complications if left untreated, though these outcomes are rare. Persistent blockage, often caused by issues like Eustachian tube dysfunction, can result in chronic otitis media, which is a prolonged inflammation or infection of the middle ear. This can lead to continued discomfort and hearing loss.

Additionally, untreated ear blockage can sometimes lead to mastoiditis. This is a serious infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear, often caused by a middle ear infection. This condition requires urgent medical intervention to prevent severe damage.

Amalina is a Clinical Audiologist at Hearing Partners. She has a Bachelor of Audiology from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and is part of the Sound Start Foundation by Cochlear. She is strongly passionate about helping people overcome their hearing and balance-related challenges.

Amalina

Clinical Audiologist