An individual with ear fullness has a sensation of blockage in the ear. This can make hearing sound muffled or a person may experience crackling or popping noises in the ear. Ear congestion may last only a few seconds or up to a few days. The feeling may come alone or be associated with other ear symptoms such as ringing, pain or dizziness.
Cause of Ear Congestion
Common causes include fluid in the middle ear, hay fever, allergies or over-excessive nose blowing. Ear pain can be associated with ear congestion in cases of infections or with airplane travel, with sudden changes in barometric pressure, which most often occurs during descent.
Treatment for EAr Fullness and Ear Congestion
- Common Tricks. Try alleviating congestion by moving areas of the face. Move the mouth in up and down motions, such as chewing gum or yawning, and try swallowing while the nose is pinched closed.
- Use Gravity. If water is stuck in the ear canal from a recent shower or swim, help drain the area by turning the side of the head down and gently pulling the earlobe in different directions.
- Hay Fever. If you or your child has a hay fever which causes cold-like signs and symptoms, try an antihistamine medication or use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for any pain. Hay fever is caused by allergic responses to outdoor or indoor allergens such as pollen or dust mites.
Altitude Change
Air travel is a common factor building up to ear congestion. Below are prevention methods.
- Swallow. Try using the common tricks and repeatedly "pop" your ears by swallowing during the 15 to 30 minutes of descent in an airplane.
- Repeat Problems. Individuals who repeatedly have this problem can try an oral decongestant or a decongestant nasal spray an hour before traveling. Always consult with your physician before any medication use.
- Hot Towel. If severe pain occurs despite these precautions, ask the flight attendant for a hot towel to place tightly over the opening of the ear. The heat may relieve pressure on the eardrum.
- Baby Help. A baby can be given water to drink and swallow or a pacifier to suck on.
When to See a Physician
If ear congestion for you or your child lasts more than a couple of days and ear pain develops, consult our Boys Town Ear, Nose and Throat clinic locations to schedule an appointment with an otolaryngologist specialist.
FAQs
If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.
How do I get rid of the fullness in my ear? ›
If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.
How do you get pressure out of your ears? ›
To relieve ear pain or discomfort, you can take steps to open the eustachian tube and relieve the pressure, such as: Chew gum. Inhale, and then gently exhale while holding the nostrils closed and the mouth shut. Suck on candy.
What is ear fullness a symptom of? ›
Common causes include fluid in the middle ear, hay fever, allergies or over-excessive nose blowing. Ear pain can be associated with ear congestion in cases of infections or with airplane travel, with sudden changes in barometric pressure, which most often occurs during descent.
Why won't my ear pressure go away? ›
When pressure builds up in the ears, people can usually relieve it by yawning, chewing gum, or wiggling the jaw. If these do not help ears pop, a person may need a nasal spray or other medical treatment. From altitude changes to ear infections, there are many reasons why pressure may build up in the ears.
How do you clear the eustachian tubes? ›
Blocked eustachian tubes often get better on their own. You may be able to open the blocked tubes with a simple exercise. Close your mouth, hold your nose, and gently blow as if you are blowing your nose. Yawning and chewing gum also may help.
How can I quickly unblock my ears? ›
What can I do to unclog my ears?
- Over-the-counter medication such as nasal sprays, decongestants or cold or sinus medication.
- Inhaling steam.
- Taking a hot shower or placing a warm compress over your ear to get steam into your ear canal.
- Gently moving your finger up and down in the ear that is blocked. ...
- Ear drops.
Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, and hay fever and other respiratory allergies. It is also used to relieve ear congestion caused by ear inflammation or infection.
How do you draw pressure out of your ear? ›
One of the most recommended ways to pop your ears is by holding your nose and blowing out. First, take a breath. Then close your mouth and nostrils with your fingers. Lightly blow out against the pressure.
How to get rid of TMJ ear fullness? ›
If your jaw joint is inflamed, this inflammation can spread up your jaw and up to your ear. Alternating heat and cold can help reduce pain and stop the inflammation from spreading. First, use an electric heating pad or some hot pack and leave it on your jaw and ear for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
Clogged ears can also result from swollen or blocked eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. This can happen for brief periods during air travel, but also due to allergies, sinus or ear infections, or other respiratory viruses (including COVID-19).
How long should ear fullness last? ›
While a feeling of fullness in the ear usually only lasts a few minutes or days, sensations that last longer than a week could indicate ear problems.
Should I go to the doctor for ear fullness? ›
Eustachian tube dysfunction often resolves on its own, particularly if triggered by a cold or other virus. You should see a doctor if these symptoms don't go away: Ear popping that causes pain or discomfort. Feeling fullness or pressure in the ear.
How do you loosen ear pressure? ›
Next time you fly, visit the mountains, or even feel pressure going up the elevator in a high rise and you're feeling pressure in the ears, try: Yawning. Swallowing. Pinching the nose and exhaling gently.
Why do I feel fullness in my ear but no wax? ›
Ear pressure can occur due to sinus congestion, infections, or TMJ damage, among other conditions. It can also occur as a result of situational factors, such as changes in altitude or having a foreign body stuck inside the ear. Some causes of ear pressure are treatable using OTC medications and home remedies.
How do you tell if your eustachian tube is blocked? ›
Blocked eustachian tubes can cause several symptoms. For example, your ears may hurt or feel full. You may have ringing or popping noises in your ears. Or you may have hearing problems or feel a little dizzy.
Can hydrogen peroxide unclog an eustachian tube? ›
An 85% rate of success in opening the clogged tube with hydrogen peroxide is documented. The ototoxicity of the treatment is also examined.
What is the best position to sleep to drain an eustachian tube? ›
Elevation (aka sleeping upright)
As long as you're upright enough to allow the ears to drain more successfully, you should notice an improvement in symptoms and be able to sleep much easier.
Does the eustachian tube unclog itself? ›
Allergies, colds or infections can affect your eustachian tube and how they function. Most of the time, eustachian tube issues go away on their own or by using home remedies like chewing gum or yawning. But you should schedule a visit with a healthcare provider if your symptoms last more than two weeks.
Is there a pressure point to relieve ear fullness? ›
Wind screen. This point can be found right behind your earlobe. Stimulating this point with acupressure massage may relieve ears that feel “stuffed,” as well as help to relieve tinnitus and migraine.
If you have water in your ears, take these steps to get it out safely.
- Dry your outer ear with a soft towel or cloth. ...
- Tip your head to one side to help water drain. ...
- Turn your blow dryer on the lowest setting and blow it toward your ear. ...
- Try over-the-counter drying drops.
This can happen for brief periods during air travel, but also due to allergies, sinus or ear infections, or other respiratory viruses (including COVID-19). Sudden onset of muffled hearing in one ear may signal an urgent problem requiring prompt treatment to prevent or reduce possible hearing loss.
What is a good decongestant for clogged ears? ›
Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, and hay fever and other respiratory allergies. It is also used to relieve ear congestion caused by ear inflammation or infection. Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription.
