Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreatment OptionsClogged Middle EarClogged Outer EarCleaning the EarsWhen to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treatment Options
Clogged Middle Ear
Clogged Outer Ear
Cleaning the Ears
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Earscan becomecloggedfor various reasons and lead to additional symptoms such as difficulty hearing, pain, and ringing in the ear.Some common causes of clogged ears include earwax, infection, allergies, water in the ear, and more. Treatment may depend on the underlying causes.
This article covers how to unclog your ears at home and when to follow up with a healthcare provider.
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Ways to Treat Clogged Ears
There are various options for cleaning and uncloggingears. The best options depend on what is clogging them and which part of the ear is clogged. For example, the middle ear or outer ear may beblocked, requiring different approaches to getting them unclogged.
Tips for a Clogged Middle Ear
A cloggedmiddle earoften involves a blockage of the tube that connects the middle of the ear to the back of the nose (eustachian tube). Children are more prone to experiencing middle ear infections due to narrow eustachian tubes that can become clogged.Eustachian tube dysfunction happens when the eustachian tube is clogged often or for an extended period. There are various ways to treat clogged middle ears, outlined below.
Nasal Spray or Oral Decongestants
Sometimes, the middle ear becomes clogged orinfecteddue to nasal congestion. In this case, over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays anddecongestantscan help to reduce nasal congestion and swelling, thus unclogging the middle ears. However, nasal sprays and oral decongestants may not be the proper treatment for an ear infection.
Tips for a Clogged Outer Ear
Theouter earscan become clogged from exposure to external factors like water while swimming orearwaxbuild-up and may involve an infection.Clogged outer ears can be painful. If you’re looking for relief at home, here are some things you can try.
Mineral Oil
Some people have found relief for a clogged outer ear when usingmineral oil. It can help when earwax build-up causes your ears to become clogged. The oil helps soften the wax so it can be removed more easily.
Hydrogen Peroxide or Carbamide Peroxide Otic
OTC Ear Drops
Many healthcare providers recommend OTCear dropsto remove earwax.These drops soften hard, sticky earwax that can get stuck or pushed deeper into the ear canal.
Ear Irrigation
Some people opt forear irrigationat home or in a healthcare provider’s office to unclog ears. Ear irrigation involves using warm water pushed into the ear to loosen earwax.
Warm Compress or Steam
Steam or a washcloth soaked in warm water and placed on theearuses heat and moisture to loosen earwax and unclog the ear. This can also help to relieve ear pain.
Position Changes
Use Caution When Cleaning the Ears
While treating clogged ears at home has benefits, it is sometimes best to seek the support of a healthcare provider.
Signs that it is time to see a healthcare provider include:
A healthcare provider can look inside the ears, evaluate your symptoms, and provide treatment options.
Summary
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Adegbiji WA, Alabi BS, Olajuyin OA, Nwawolo CC.Earwax impaction: symptoms, predisposing factors and perception among Nigerians.J Family Med Prim Care. 2014;3(4):379-382. doi:10.4103/2249-4863.148116Stanford Medicine.Eustachian tube dysfunction.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.What can parents do about middle ear infections?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Outer ear infection: overview.Agrawal V, Deshmukh PT.Ear wax and its impaction: clinical findings and management.JPRI. 2021:176-182. doi:10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i60A34471Asgari A, Asgari HR, Ghorbanlou M, Dobakhti F, Ghorbanian MA.Cerumenolytic effects of carbamide peroxide in patients with ear wax obstruction.Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2024;36(2):415-420. doi:10.22038/IJORL.2024.67777.3311Harvard Medical School.Why do my ears feel clogged?National Institute of Health.Ear irrigation.Stanford Medicine.Treatment for swimmer’s ear.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ear infections.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Adegbiji WA, Alabi BS, Olajuyin OA, Nwawolo CC.Earwax impaction: symptoms, predisposing factors and perception among Nigerians.J Family Med Prim Care. 2014;3(4):379-382. doi:10.4103/2249-4863.148116Stanford Medicine.Eustachian tube dysfunction.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.What can parents do about middle ear infections?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Outer ear infection: overview.Agrawal V, Deshmukh PT.Ear wax and its impaction: clinical findings and management.JPRI. 2021:176-182. doi:10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i60A34471Asgari A, Asgari HR, Ghorbanlou M, Dobakhti F, Ghorbanian MA.Cerumenolytic effects of carbamide peroxide in patients with ear wax obstruction.Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2024;36(2):415-420. doi:10.22038/IJORL.2024.67777.3311Harvard Medical School.Why do my ears feel clogged?National Institute of Health.Ear irrigation.Stanford Medicine.Treatment for swimmer’s ear.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ear infections.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Adegbiji WA, Alabi BS, Olajuyin OA, Nwawolo CC.Earwax impaction: symptoms, predisposing factors and perception among Nigerians.J Family Med Prim Care. 2014;3(4):379-382. doi:10.4103/2249-4863.148116Stanford Medicine.Eustachian tube dysfunction.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.What can parents do about middle ear infections?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Outer ear infection: overview.Agrawal V, Deshmukh PT.Ear wax and its impaction: clinical findings and management.JPRI. 2021:176-182. doi:10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i60A34471Asgari A, Asgari HR, Ghorbanlou M, Dobakhti F, Ghorbanian MA.Cerumenolytic effects of carbamide peroxide in patients with ear wax obstruction.Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2024;36(2):415-420. doi:10.22038/IJORL.2024.67777.3311Harvard Medical School.Why do my ears feel clogged?National Institute of Health.Ear irrigation.Stanford Medicine.Treatment for swimmer’s ear.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ear infections.
Adegbiji WA, Alabi BS, Olajuyin OA, Nwawolo CC.Earwax impaction: symptoms, predisposing factors and perception among Nigerians.J Family Med Prim Care. 2014;3(4):379-382. doi:10.4103/2249-4863.148116
Stanford Medicine.Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.What can parents do about middle ear infections?
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Outer ear infection: overview.
Agrawal V, Deshmukh PT.Ear wax and its impaction: clinical findings and management.JPRI. 2021:176-182. doi:10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i60A34471
Asgari A, Asgari HR, Ghorbanlou M, Dobakhti F, Ghorbanian MA.Cerumenolytic effects of carbamide peroxide in patients with ear wax obstruction.Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2024;36(2):415-420. doi:10.22038/IJORL.2024.67777.3311
Harvard Medical School.Why do my ears feel clogged?
National Institute of Health.Ear irrigation.
Stanford Medicine.Treatment for swimmer’s ear.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ear infections.
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