If you’ve ever felt a blocked ear, you know how uncomfortable it can be. That feeling of pressure, of everything sounding muffled, or even as if you were underwater, can come on suddenly and without warning. As a hearing care specialist, I see many patients dealing with this. And although in most cases it’s nothing serious, it’s important to know what causes it and how to deal with it properly.
In this article I’ll explain why ears get blocked, which methods are safe for unblocking them, and when it’s time to see a specialist. I’m sharing this from my experience at our hearing centre in Valencia, in a clear, straightforward way, without unnecessary jargon.
Common causes of a blocked ear
A blocked-ear feeling can have several different causes. Some pass on their own, while others need medical treatment. Here’s a summary of the most common ones:
1. Earwax build-up: This is one of the most common causes. The ear naturally produces earwax, but when there’s too much, it can block the ear canal. Cotton buds sometimes push the wax further in, making the problem worse.
2. Pressure changes: Very typical when flying, climbing a mountain, or diving. What happens is that the pressure between the inner and outer ear becomes unbalanced, producing that blocked feeling.
3. Infections or colds: Colds, sinusitis or middle-ear infections (otitis) can cause inflammation and a build-up of mucus, affecting hearing and creating pressure in the ear.
4. Water trapped in the ear: After a shower or a swim, it’s common for water to get trapped in the ear canal, causing a blocked feeling. It’s important to make sure the ear is properly dried.
5. Eustachian tube problems: This is the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose. If it becomes inflamed or blocked, it can cause pressure and a blocked-ear feeling.
Safe and effective ways to unblock an ear
Fortunately, there are safe and effective solutions that can help unblock your ears. But it’s very important to know what to do in each case and avoid dangerous or overly aggressive remedies.
Here are the most common methods, grouped into categories, based on what I usually recommend to my own patients.
Physical manoeuvres
These techniques are useful when the blockage is related to pressure changes or congestion.
- Valsalva manoeuvre: Close your mouth, pinch your nose, and blow gently without letting the air escape. If done correctly, you’ll feel a “click” in your ear and the pressure will ease. Tip: Don’t force it. If it hurts, stop straight away.
- Yawning or chewing: Chewing gum, yawning, or opening and closing your jaw stimulates the Eustachian tube to open and helps balance the pressure.
- Tilting your head and gently tapping: If you have water in your ear, tilting your head towards the affected side and giving it a gentle tap can help the liquid drain out. You can also try hopping lightly on one foot (the one on the side of the blocked ear).
Home remedies
When the cause is earwax build-up, you can try a few home remedies as long as there’s no pain, discharge, or history of a perforated eardrum.
- Warm olive oil: A few drops of slightly warm olive oil (never hot) can help soften the wax so it comes out on its own over a few days. Use a dropper and don’t apply it more than once a day. Wait a few minutes with your head tilted, then wipe away any excess with a gauze pad.
- Saline solution: You can also apply a few drops of saline solution to moisten the area and help the wax come out more easily. Don’t use a syringe to irrigate your ear on your own unless you’re sure you’re doing it correctly.
Recommended products
Nowadays, pharmacies stock products specifically formulated for ear hygiene that are safe and effective.
- Ear-cleaning sprays: Help dissolve earwax and keep the ear canal clean. Some include natural oils or micro-diffused seawater. Great for regular maintenance in people who produce a lot of wax.
- Avoid cotton buds: Far from helping, cotton buds usually push wax further into the ear canal, making blockages more likely. They can also leave bits of cotton behind inside the canal.
Precautions: what NOT to do when trying to unblock an ear
- Don’t use pointed objects such as hairpins, tweezers or keys. You can seriously damage the ear canal or eardrum.
- Don’t apply direct heat such as hairdryers or lamps. Not only is this ineffective, it can cause burns or infections.
- Don’t use ear candles. There’s no scientific evidence they work, and they can be dangerous.
- Don’t keep trying to unblock an ear if there’s pain, discharge or sudden hearing loss. In those cases, see a professional.
When should you see a doctor or hearing centre?
If the blockage doesn’t resolve after a few days, or if you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to get it checked:
✔ Persistent pain.
✔ Discharge from the ear.
✔ Fever or general malaise.
✔ Intense ringing.
✔ A feeling of vertigo.
✔ Sudden hearing loss.
In these cases, you may need professional cleaning, a more thorough diagnosis, or a referral to an ENT specialist.
Preventing blocked ears in common situations
As a hearing care specialist, I always stress that the best way to avoid hearing problems is prevention. Here are a few recommendations:
- Don’t overuse in-ear headphones. Extended use can encourage earwax build-up.
- Avoid aggressive cleaning. The ear cleans itself; if you need help, use gentle sprays or see a specialist.
- When flying, bring sweets, chewing gum, or practise equalising manoeuvres.
- After showering or swimming, dry the outer part of your ear well with a towel.
- Get a hearing check-up at least once a year, especially if you have a history of blocked ears, use headphones often, or regularly feel that your ear is full.
How do we help people with a blocked-ear feeling at BienestarAudio?
At our hearing centre in Valencia, we deal with this kind of discomfort very often. When someone comes in with a blocked-ear feeling, the first thing we do is a full assessment:
- We carry out hearing tests to check for any hearing loss.
- If we find earwax build-up, we refer the patient to their doctor or specialist to have it removed, and teach them how to maintain proper ear hygiene going forward.
- We advise on the best maintenance method for each individual case.
Our goal is for you to leave knowing exactly how to prevent it from happening again.
A blocked ear is a very common discomfort, but also a very easy one to fix when handled correctly. Whether it’s caused by wax, water, pressure or congestion, there are safe solutions you can try at home. Just be careful.
Avoid aggressive methods and, if the problem persists or symptoms like pain or hearing loss appear, don’t let it slide. See a professional.
And if you live in Valencia or the surrounding area, we’re waiting for you at BienestarAudio. Book your appointment and we’ll be delighted to help you get your hearing comfort back and prevent future blockages.
Call us on 960 659 592 or message us on WhatsApp at 621 00 16 93
Your ears deserve to be in good hands.
