You try to swallow hard and yawn but to no avail, your ears are clogged and there’s nothing you can do about it. You’ve attempted popping your ear, chewing gum, or trying to open your ear canal with your finger. At some point, you may contemplate giving up and just hope your ear unclogs by itself. But if you have drainage, pain, or the symptoms of an ear infection, this would be an unwise idea.
A little passageway that links the middle ear to the place behind the nose and regulates the pressure that goes the ears, called the eustachian tube, will get clogged if it remains closed or open for overly long. The tube normally closes and opens as you yawn or swallow, which you might notice by a crackling sound or pop in your ears. A virus, allergy or sinus infection could possibly cause the ear to stay closed, while hormonal changes can make the ear stay open. Both issues will go away over time, but it may take quite a while for your ears to return to normal.
Another cause of clogged ears is buildup of earwax. Ear treatment can clear this type of blockage, depending on the seriousness, this can be at home or at the hearing professional. Here are a few recommendations when dealing with clogged ears:
You Can Try Dripping Hydrogen Peroxide Drops in Your Ear
Hydrogen peroxide, if properly used, can break up earwax. Hearing experts suggest that you mix the solution with warm water making sure that the water is not too hot and then place a drop or two in your ear with a pipette. Your ear should be tipped upward as you place the drops in your ear and you should stay that way for a few seconds to let the hydrogen peroxide to break down the earwax clog. You might have to do this several times a day for a couple of days, but eventually, the clog should clear.
Sticking Something into Your Ear is Not a Good Way to Clean it
Seriously, this is worth restating: it will only make the situation worse if you try to use a cotton swab to clean your ears. Cotton swabs actually force earwax deeper inside your ear canal, which can cause a complete blockage. Even hearing aids and earplugs can, in fact, cause an earwax blockage. Cotton swabs should only be used on your outer ear so that you can avoid causing blockage.
Pay Attention to Your Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, it can make a blocked ear worse. Follow your doctor’s instructions concerning managing your allergies and don’t forget to take your medication. Steer clear of any unneeded allergens, specifically during allergy season.
Be Suspicious of Home Remedies That Sound Odd
You shouldn’t stick a lit candle in your ear which should go without saying. Ear candling is an old and very pseudo-scientific technique of clearing earwax by putting a hollow candle in your ear and lighting it. The idea is that the heat from the flame causes a vacuum which pulls the earwax into the hollow tube in the candle. This technique will likely cause more harm and probably won’t help. If something doesn’t sound correct, it probably isn’t and it’s best to seek advice from a professional. Arbitrarily trying things is a massive risk to your hearing.
You should contact us if all else fails. Improper wax removal can result in serious issues in your ears, like a ruptured eardrum or long-term loss of hearing.