Do your ears feel clogged? Wondering how to open a blocked ear? A clogged ear may not necessarily cause you pain or discomfort, but it can muffle your hearing and cause you to strain to hear. This can quickly become a real nuisance.

A clogged ear is often temporary and you may find that your ear unblocks itself within days or a few hours. However, it is possible to self-treat a clogged ear at home. Attempting any of these DIY treatments carries a risk of damage to your ears. If in doubt, please contact a qualified medical professional for advice.

What causes clogged ears? Just like you may get a stuffy nose, your ears can become blocked for several reasons. If your ear has been clogged for days, it could be due to several reasons:

1. Earwax buildup: Excessive earwax can accumulate and block the ear canal, leading to a clogged sensation
2. Eustachian tube dysfunction: The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and helps equalize pressure. If it becomes blocked, often due to allergies, colds, or sinus infections, it can cause a feeling of fullness or clogging in the ear
3. Ear infection: An infection in the middle ear (otitis media) or outer ear (otitis externa) can cause swelling and fluid buildup, leading to a clogged feeling
4. Water trapped in the ear: Water from swimming or showering can sometimes get trapped in the ear canal, leading to a clogged sensation
5. Foreign object: Occasionally, a foreign object or insect can become lodged in the ear canal
6. Hearing loss: Sudden hearing loss, which can sometimes feel like a clogged ear, might be due to various medical conditions and requires prompt medical attention

If the clogging persists, it’s important to see a healthcare professional. They can examine your ear, diagnose the cause, and recommend appropriate treatment, such as earwax removal, medication for infections, or other interventions based on the underlying cause.

The duration of a clogged ear can vary widely depending on the underlying cause. Here are some common scenarios and their typical durations:

• Earwax buildup: If the clogging is due to earwax buildup, it may last until the wax is removed. Over-the-counter treatments or professional cleaning can resolve the issue relatively quickly, often within a few days to a week
• Eustachian tube dysfunction: This condition, often caused by allergies, colds, or sinus infections, can cause a clogged sensation that lasts from a few days to a couple of weeks. Once the underlying cause resolves, the Eustachian tubes usually open up and the sensation of fullness diminishes
• Ear infection: Middle ear infections (otitis media) or outer ear infections (otitis externa) can cause a clogged feeling that lasts as long as the infection persists. With appropriate treatment, symptoms typically improve within a few days to a week, though full resolution might take longer
• Water trapped in the ear: Water trapped in the ear from swimming or showering usually resolves on its own within a few hours to a couple of days. Using over-the-counter drying drops can help speed up the process
• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss: This is a medical emergency, and the clogged sensation can be permanent if not treated promptly. Immediate medical attention is necessary
• Other causes: If the clogging is due to a more chronic issue, such as chronic sinusitis or a structural problem with the ear, the duration can be longer and require specific treatments to address the root cause

So,  how to get rid of clogged ears? There are several different ear remedies for clogged ears to try at home. Some blocked ear remedies involve over-the-counter medications and products, but you can also use items you likely already have at home. But in order for it to work, the method you use should be determined by whether the problem is in your middle ear, behind the eardrum, or in your outer ear.

A clogged ear is generally only a temporary problem and many people can treat it themselves using a clogged ear remedy at home. However, it’s important to remember that your ear is a very sensitive part of your body and you must never try to dig out earwax. If your ear remains clogged despite using different remedies or if you experience pain, hearing loss or tinnitus, contact your doctor as soon as possible. You may need to be prescribed ear drops or have wax manually removed.

While your clogged ear may feel uncomfortable, the good news is that it’s possible to tackle on your own. While there are several clogged ear remedies you can try, you may need medical intervention if they aren’t successful.