What Causes A Clogged Ear?
Clogged ears can disrupt the balance, affect hearing, and also cause pain and discomfort. Both internal and external factors can trigger the condition. They include:
Barotrauma – It occurs when your ears can’t adapt to the changing pressure on an airplane (1). Ear Infection (Otitis Media) – It is a result of fluid build-up in the ears that may cause virus or bacteria to multiply (2). A cold or flu often triggers an ear infection. Earwax Impaction – It occurs due to an excessive production of earwax, which causes a build-up of wax in the ear canal (3). Presence of a foreign object like cotton inside the ear Swimmer’s Ear – This condition results from water being trapped in the ear (4). Smoking
Some of the lesser common causes of ear congestion are migraines and spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.
Signs And Symptoms
The common signs and symptoms associated with clogged ears include:
A sensation of pressure in the ears Muffled hearing Ear pain Earache A feeling of fullness in the affected ear Ringing in one or both ears Loss of balance or dizziness Decreased hearing Cough
A clogged ear can indicate fluid build-up in the ear, especially if the person already has a cold or flu. This can increase the risk of developing an ear infection. Clogged ears can be quite discomforting and may affect your day-to-day life. However, there are several home remedies that may help in unclogging blocked ears. Let’s take a look at them.
8 Home Remedies To Clean Clogged Ears
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which can heal chronic suppurative otitis media (5). It also possesses antimicrobial properties (6). These properties can help with a cold or flu that may have contributed to your clogged ears.
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon of distilled water A dropper
You can do this 1-2 times daily.
2. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (7). These activities of tea tree oil can help reduce inflammation inside the ear and fight the infectious microbes that could be clogging your ear.
4-5 drops of tea tree oil Hot water A large bowl
You can do this 1-2 times daily.
3. Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub contains eucalyptus oil and menthol that possess both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (8), (9). This may help clear clogged ears caused due to inflammation or infection. Vicks VapoRub (as required) You may do this once daily.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is cerumenolytic and can help in softening the earwax, making it easy to remove. Hydrogen peroxide may be as effective as any other ear drops for clearing ears clogged due to earwax build-up (10).
1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide 1 tablespoon of distilled water A dropper Tissues
You may do this once daily for 4-5 days to clear the earwax build-up. Caution: Consult a doctor before carrying out this procedure. Avoid it if you have an ear infection.
5. Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is an excellent option if you are trying to unclog ears that are clogged due to earwax build-up. It is as effective as water-based ear drops in helping to get rid of earwax build-up (11).
Mineral oil (as required) A dropper Tissues
Do this once daily for 2-3 days.
6. Warm Compress
A warm compress can help reduce the pain caused due to clogged ears. The steam from the compress can enter the ear canal and loosen the earwax build-up, making it easier to remove. A warm compress You can do this 2-3 times daily.
7. Gargle Salt Water
Gargling with water (with/without salt) may help prevent upper respiratory infections (12). It can also help ease symptoms of nasal congestion and clogged ears associated with a cold or flu.
1 teaspoon of table salt 1 glass of warm water
You can do this multiple times daily.
8. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can help prevent cerumen impaction (13). This, in turn, can prevent clogging of ears. 3-4 drops of rubbing alcohol You may do this once a day
9. Passive Techniques
If you are in an airplane or traveling to a hill station and your ears are blocked, some passive techniques may help:
Yawning – Let out a yawn until you hear a pop in your ears. It will clear the pressure built up inside your ears. Swallowing – Swallowing can also help clear blocked ears in an elevated area. Chewing – Chewing gum can also help. Valsalva maneuver – Take a deep breath and pinch your nose soon after. Exhale from your nose with your mouth closed. This is the Valsalva maneuver that can help in popping blocked ears (14).
All the above remedies are quite effective in treating clogged ears. However, there are also some precautions that you may have to follow to prevent your ears from clogging.
How To Prevent Clogged Ears
Avoid cotton swabs or tools to clean your inner ear as it can push the earwax deeper in. Avoid candling. It is a procedure that uses a cone-shaped candle to pull out excess earwax. However, it doesn’t work, and people are quite likely to burn their hands or ears while doing so. Drink plenty of fluids. Keep your nasal passage moist. Remove any water or foreign object that may have entered your ears. Remove any excess wax every now and then to avoid excess wax buildup. Blow your nose to get rid of trapped mucus in the ears as well as chest. Wear earplugs while swimming or bathing. This can help reduce the risk of water entering deep into the ear canal.
When To See A Doctor For Clogged Ears
If the above remedies and tips fail to unblock your ears, consult your doctor immediately. Check if your condition is accompanied by the below symptoms:
Fever Pain in the ear, head, or face Swelling in the ear, head, or face Symptoms that last for a week or keep recurring
What medicines will treat clogged ears? Check out the infographic below to know the 4 best simple and effective remedies to unblock clogged ears. Over-the-counter painkillers and decongestants like nasal sprays or tablets are often prescribed to help with clogged ears and their symptoms. Why is my ear clogged after swimming? If your ears are clogged and infected after swimming, the condition is known as swimmer’s ears. It is caused when water gets trapped in the ears. What to do when your ear is clogged? Try out any of the above tips and remedies to get rid of clogged ears. If nothing seems to help, see a doctor immediately to rule out the possibility of any serious underlying medical condition. Will a clogged ear unclog itself? Yes, a clogged ear may unclog by itself within hours or days. However, you can try home remedies to fasten this process. Why has my ear suddenly gone muffled? The muffled hearing may be caused by a clogged ear or congestion from the common cold. Will a hot shower unclog my ears? A hot shower may help get steam into your ear canal and unclog the ears. Therefore, you can try taking a hot shower to unclog your ears. Can a hair dryer unclog ears? Yes, the heat from a hair dryer may help evaporate water and unclog ears. You may keep your blow dryer to its lowest setting and hold it about a foot away from your ear and move it in a back-and-forth motion. However, it may not be a safe option to try.
