What can I do About a Clogged Ear?

The things you can do to relieve your clogged ear may depend on what caused it. If your ear is clogged up because of an excess amount of ear wax, you might be able to put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ear to clear out the blockage. Sometimes a change in air pressure can cause your ear to feel blocked or clogged. If this occurs, yawning or chewing gum might cause your ear to pop and relieve the pressure. If you have a clogged ear because of cold or sinus problems, blowing your nose might help. Don't hesitate to see your doctor if you have no success with unclogging your ear at home.

Even though ear wax is generally considered beneficial because it protects the inner ear from debris and bacteria, it can occasionally cause problems when there is too much of it. It is never a good idea to try to clean out ear wax with any type of sharp object, and ear swabs do not always work well. If you have ear wax that has built up to the point that your ear feels clogged, try filling up a bulb syringe with some hydrogen peroxide and squeezing a drop or two inside your ear. You might want to lie down on your side for several minutes after you have done this so the peroxide can effectively drain down into your inner ear. After several minutes have gone by, fill the syringe up with some lukewarm water and squeeze a small amount into your ear to wash the excess ear wax out.

When you are traveling into an area at a very high altitude, one or both of your ears might begin to feel clogged. This is particularly common for most people when they travel by plane or by car up into the mountains. A clogged ear that is the result of a change in air pressure is usually temporary and will relieve itself naturally within a very short period of time, but chewing gum or yawning might give you immediate relief. You could also try to swallow or hold your nose and inhale deeply with your mouth and then blow the air you inhaled out of your nose to immediately take the pressure off your ears.

A clogged ear is usually a very common side effect of cold and sinus trouble. This often occurs because of sinus drainage, and it can cause you lots of discomfort. Blowing your nose should provide some relief from your clogged ear, and you may also want to try lying down with your clogged ear on the bottom so that any fluid trapped inside might drain out. If you are experiencing lots of pain as a result of your clogged ear, you should see a doctor because there's always a chance you could have an ear infection, which might require treatment with antibiotics.