A blocked ear can feel as though sound is reaching you through water or cotton wool. You may notice pressure, reduced hearing, popping, crackling, ringing or the unsettling sensation that your own voice sounds unusually loud.
Earwax is a common explanation, but it is far from the only one. A cold or allergy can interfere with pressure regulation behind the eardrum, an infection can narrow the ear canal or create fluid in the middle ear, and sudden inner-ear hearing loss can initially feel surprisingly similar to an ordinary blockage.
The timing and accompanying symptoms provide useful clues, but looking inside the ear—and sometimes testing the hearing—is the only reliable way to distinguish several of these conditions.
This guide provides general information and cannot diagnose the cause of a blocked ear. Sudden or rapidly worsening hearing loss should be treated as urgent, even when it feels like wax or pressure.
Why does an ear feel blocked?
Sound travels through the ear canal and vibrates the eardrum. These vibrations pass through the small middle-ear bones to the inner ear, where they are converted into signals for the brain.
A problem anywhere along this pathway can make hearing seem dull or blocked. Wax, swelling and foreign objects can obstruct the outer ear canal. Fluid, infection and pressure problems can reduce movement of the eardrum and middle-ear bones.
Inner-ear or auditory nerve problems can also reduce hearing, although the ear canal and eardrum may look completely normal. This is why the sensation of blockage cannot be used to locate the problem by itself.
A doctor, nurse or audiologist may describe outer- and middle-ear causes as conductive hearing loss, because sound is not being conducted normally towards the inner ear. Damage involving the inner ear is called sensorineural hearing loss.
Our complete guide to hearing loss in the UK explains these two types and the tests used to tell them apart.
Is earwax causing the blockage?
Earwax protects the ear canal by trapping dust, repelling water and helping maintain healthy skin. It normally moves towards the entrance of the ear and falls away naturally.
Wax becomes a problem when it accumulates or becomes tightly impacted. This can cause muffled hearing, fullness, itching, discomfort and tinnitus. Symptoms may seem to worsen suddenly after swimming or showering because retained water can make the wax expand.
You may be more prone to a build-up if you have narrow or unusually shaped ear canals, produce particularly dry or hard wax, use hearing aids or regularly insert earplugs. Skin conditions affecting the canal can also interfere with the natural clearing process.
Cotton buds are a common contributor. They may remove a small amount near the entrance but push deeper wax towards the eardrum. The same applies to hairpins, matchsticks and other objects used to “clean” the ear.
It is not possible to confirm an impaction simply by the symptoms. A healthcare professional can examine the canal with an otoscope and see whether wax is actually obstructing it.
What is Eustachian tube dysfunction?
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. It briefly opens when you swallow, yawn or chew, allowing pressure on either side of the eardrum to equalise.
If the tube becomes swollen or fails to open properly, the middle ear can develop negative pressure. The eardrum may be pulled slightly inwards, producing fullness, muffled hearing, popping, crackling and intermittent discomfort.
This is called Eustachian tube dysfunction, or ETD. The hearing is often described as being underwater. Symptoms may change during swallowing or temporarily improve when the ear “pops”.
A cold is a common trigger. Inflammation around the nose and throat can block the tube, and symptoms may continue for a while after the other cold symptoms have settled. Allergic rhinitis, sinus inflammation and enlarged adenoids in children can also contribute.
ETD can affect one or both ears. Mild episodes associated with a cold often improve over several weeks. Persistent one-sided symptoms in an adult should be examined rather than repeatedly self-treated, because less common causes may need to be excluded.
For related nasal symptoms, see our guides to sinusitis and chronic sinusitis.
How can you tell wax from a pressure problem?
The symptoms overlap, so there is no perfect home test. Both conditions can cause dull hearing, tinnitus and a sensation of fullness.
Wax is more likely when the canal feels itchy, symptoms gradually worsen, water appears to trigger a sudden change, or you have a history of repeated wax impaction. Hearing aids and frequent use of in-ear devices also make wax more likely.
Eustachian tube dysfunction is more likely when the blockage began with a cold, allergy or flight and is accompanied by popping or crackling. Symptoms may fluctuate when swallowing, yawning or changing altitude.
However, these are only clues. Wax and ETD can occur at the same time, and an infection can mimic both.
| Feature | Earwax build-up | Eustachian tube dysfunction |
|---|---|---|
| Where the problem is | Outer ear canal | Pressure regulation behind the eardrum |
| Common trigger | Narrow canal, hearing aid, cotton buds or water | Cold, nasal allergy, sinus symptoms or altitude change |
| Typical extra symptom | Itching or a plugged canal | Popping, crackling or pressure changes |
| Ear drops | May soften wax | Do not reach or unblock the Eustachian tube |
| How it is confirmed | Wax seen with an otoscope | Eardrum examination, history and sometimes tympanometry |
If you cannot hear normally, the symptoms came on suddenly or you are unsure of the cause, arrange an assessment instead of assuming that wax is responsible.
Can an ear infection cause blocked hearing?
Yes. Both outer- and middle-ear infections can create pressure, pain and temporary hearing reduction.
Otitis externa affects the ear canal. Swelling, inflamed skin and debris can narrow the passage and make hearing muffled. The outer ear may be tender when touched or moved, and there may be itching or discharge. Swimming, scratching the canal and some skin conditions increase the risk.
Otitis media affects the space behind the eardrum. It often begins after a cold and can cause pain, pressure, fever and reduced hearing. It is particularly common in children.
Fluid may remain behind the eardrum after the acute infection has settled. Hearing can therefore remain dull even when pain and fever have improved.
Ear drops intended to dissolve wax should not be used as a substitute for assessment when there is substantial pain, discharge or suspected infection. A clinician may need to check whether the eardrum is intact and determine which part of the ear is affected.
The NHS overview of ear infections explains when to seek urgent help. For adults, our guide to earache, wax, infection and jaw pain covers the main causes in more detail.
What is glue ear?
Glue ear means that fluid has collected in the middle ear without the symptoms of an acute infection. The medical name is otitis media with effusion.
The fluid interferes with movement of the eardrum and small middle-ear bones, producing temporary conductive hearing loss. One or both ears may feel full, and there can be mild discomfort, tinnitus or balance problems.
Glue ear is much more common in children because their Eustachian tubes are smaller and more horizontal. A child may turn up the television, speak more loudly, seem inattentive or have difficulty following conversation in a noisy room.
Persistent hearing reduction can affect speech development and learning, so concerns should be discussed with a GP, health visitor or hearing service. The NHS provides further information about the symptoms and management of glue ear.
Adults can also develop middle-ear fluid, especially after an infection or episode of Eustachian tube dysfunction. Persistent fluid affecting only one adult ear needs medical assessment.
Why do ears block on a plane or while diving?
Pressure in the environment changes during take-off, landing and underwater descent. The Eustachian tubes must open to keep the middle-ear pressure equal to the pressure outside.
If pressure cannot equalise—particularly when you have a cold or blocked nose—the eardrum stretches and can become painful. This is called ear barotrauma.
Swallowing, yawning, chewing or sipping a drink can encourage the tubes to open. Some people use a gentle pressure-equalising manoeuvre by closing the mouth, pinching the nose and blowing very gently.
Forceful blowing can injure the ear, especially when the nose and sinuses are congested. Stop if the manoeuvre causes pain or dizziness.
Divers should not continue descending through ear pain. If pressure cannot be equalised, ascend slowly and follow appropriate diving safety procedures.
Severe pain, bleeding, vertigo or persistent hearing loss after a flight or dive may indicate significant barotrauma or a perforated eardrum and requires assessment.
What other conditions can make an ear feel blocked?
A foreign object can obstruct the ear canal. This is more common in children, but parts of earplugs, hearing aids or cotton buds can also become lodged in an adult ear. Do not use tweezers or another object to remove something deep in the canal, as this may push it further in.
A perforated eardrum can cause hearing loss, pain, discharge or tinnitus. It may follow infection, trauma, a sudden pressure change or insertion of an object. Sometimes pain improves suddenly when an infected eardrum ruptures and fluid is released.
Jaw-joint problems can produce a sense of pressure or discomfort around the ear even when hearing is normal. The temporomandibular joint sits directly in front of the ear, so clenching, grinding and jaw inflammation can be mistaken for an ear problem.
Cholesteatoma is a rare collection of skin cells inside the ear. It commonly affects one side and can cause persistent or unpleasant-smelling discharge, gradual hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness. It requires specialist treatment and should not be mistaken for recurrent wax.
Otosclerosis, age-related hearing loss, noise damage and other inner-ear conditions may also be described by patients as blocked hearing. These often require a hearing test rather than wax treatment.
When is a blocked ear actually sudden hearing loss?
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss develops in the inner ear and can occur over hours or a few days. People do not always describe it as “hearing loss”. They may say the ear is blocked, full or needs to pop.
There may also be tinnitus, dizziness or a sudden change in the way sound is perceived. The outer ear can look normal.
This condition matters because treatment can be time-sensitive. NICE states that sudden hearing loss not explained by an external- or middle-ear cause is a medical emergency.
If hearing in one or both ears falls suddenly, contact your GP urgently or use NHS 111. If you cannot access these services promptly, attend an emergency department. Do not spend several days trying wax drops first.
RNID similarly advises people with sudden hearing loss to obtain urgent medical help, because wax and infection can otherwise delay recognition of an inner-ear emergency.
Sudden hearing loss accompanied by facial weakness, severe vertigo, difficulty speaking, weakness in an arm or leg, or another neurological symptom requires emergency assessment.
What can you safely do about earwax at home?
If you have previously had straightforward wax and there is no pain, discharge, sudden hearing loss or reason to suspect a perforation, a pharmacist may recommend wax-softening drops.
Options include olive oil, sodium bicarbonate and other preparations designed for the ear. Follow the product or professional instructions, as the recommended amount and duration differ.
RNID notes that the NHS commonly advises olive oil ear drops three or four times a day for three to five days. The wax may then work its way out gradually over the following couple of weeks.
Do not use ear drops without clinical advice if you have:
- a known or suspected perforated eardrum;
- ear discharge or significant pain;
- an active ear infection;
- previous ear surgery;
- grommets or another ear device;
- instructions to keep the ear dry.
Never insert cotton buds, candles or tools into the canal. Ear candles do not create a safe vacuum to remove wax and can cause burns, obstruction and eardrum injury.
Home irrigation kits also carry risks, particularly when the cause of symptoms and condition of the eardrum are unknown. Professional assessment is safer when wax is deeply impacted or symptoms are significant.
How are blocked ears treated?
Treatment depends entirely on the cause. Earwax can be removed using electronic irrigation, microsuction or manual instruments by an appropriately trained professional. The choice depends on the ear, the wax and the service available.
Microsuction uses a fine suction tube while the clinician views the canal through magnification. ENT UK explains that ear microsuction is often offered when drops have not helped or wax needs to be cleared for examination.
Although generally well tolerated, microsuction can be loud and sometimes causes brief discomfort, dizziness or coughing. Rare complications include canal or eardrum injury.
Mild Eustachian tube dysfunction related to a cold often improves without a procedure. Swallowing, yawning and gentle pressure equalisation may help. When nasal allergy or inflammation is contributing, a clinician may recommend appropriate nasal treatment.
Decongestants and nasal sprays are not universal cures for ETD. Some products should only be used for a short period and may be unsuitable for people with high blood pressure, pregnancy or certain other conditions. A pharmacist or clinician can advise.
Infection, persistent glue ear, a perforation or cholesteatoma requires a cause-specific plan. Repeated wax removal will not correct a middle- or inner-ear condition.
How is the cause of blocked hearing diagnosed?
The first step is usually a history and examination with an otoscope. This can reveal wax, canal swelling, discharge, a foreign object, a perforation or visible changes behind the eardrum.
If hearing remains reduced after wax or infection has been addressed, a hearing assessment may be needed. Pure-tone audiometry measures the quietest sounds heard at different pitches and helps distinguish the pattern of hearing loss.
Tympanometry tests how the eardrum moves when air pressure changes in the ear canal. It can provide evidence of middle-ear fluid, abnormal pressure or a perforation.
A tuning-fork assessment may give a quick indication of whether hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural, although it does not replace formal testing.
Persistent one-sided symptoms, unusual discharge, significant imbalance or unexplained hearing loss may lead to an ENT referral or further imaging. Our guide to tinnitus explains why one-sided or pulse-synchronous sounds may also need assessment.
When should you seek medical help?
Arrange an assessment if blockage persists, keeps returning, affects only one side or significantly reduces hearing. An examination is also appropriate when you do not know whether the cause is wax.
Seek urgent help through your GP or NHS 111 if there is new hearing loss, discharge, substantial pain, fever, severe dizziness or swelling around the ear.
Contact emergency services or attend an emergency department for:
- sudden major hearing loss;
- hearing loss with facial weakness or other neurological symptoms;
- severe vertigo with difficulty standing or walking;
- significant injury to the ear or head;
- a foreign object such as a button battery in the ear;
- serious illness or swelling behind the ear.
A button battery is an emergency because it can rapidly damage tissue. Do not put drops or water into the ear and do not attempt to remove it with a tool.
If blocked hearing is accompanied by dizziness, our guide to dizziness and when to worry explains the other symptoms that require prompt attention.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether my blocked ear is wax?
Wax may cause gradual muffled hearing, itching, fullness and tinnitus, particularly if you use hearing aids or cotton buds. These symptoms overlap with other conditions, so examination with an otoscope is the only reliable way to confirm a blockage.
Why does my ear feel blocked but there is no wax?
Possible causes include Eustachian tube dysfunction, middle-ear fluid, infection, eardrum damage, jaw-joint problems or inner-ear hearing loss. A hearing test or pressure test may be needed when the ear canal looks clear.
Can a cold block the ears?
Yes. Swelling around the Eustachian tubes can prevent normal middle-ear pressure regulation. Fullness, popping and muffled hearing may continue for several weeks after other cold symptoms improve.
How long does Eustachian tube dysfunction last?
A mild episode after a cold often settles within a few weeks. Symptoms that persist, repeatedly return or affect only one adult ear should be medically assessed.
Can ear drops unblock Eustachian tubes?
No. Ear drops remain in the external ear canal and do not pass through an intact eardrum to reach the Eustachian tube. They may help soften wax but will not directly treat middle-ear pressure.
Is it safe to pop your ears?
Swallowing, yawning or using a very gentle pressure-equalising manoeuvre can help. Do not blow forcefully against a pinched nose, particularly if this causes pain or dizziness.
Should I use olive oil for a blocked ear?
Olive oil drops may soften uncomplicated wax. They should not be used when sudden hearing loss, infection, discharge, a perforated eardrum, previous ear surgery or another contraindication is possible.
Is microsuction safer than ear irrigation?
Microsuction is widely used and avoids putting water into the ear, making it suitable in some situations where irrigation is inappropriate. It still has risks and should be performed by someone with appropriate training and equipment.
Why does my hearing seem worse after using wax drops?
Liquid can temporarily soften and expand impacted wax, making the blockage feel more complete. If hearing is substantially reduced, painful or suddenly changed, arrange an assessment rather than adding more drops indefinitely.
Can stress cause blocked ears?
Stress does not normally create a physical obstruction, but it can increase jaw clenching, awareness of tinnitus and sensitivity to pressure sensations. A new change in hearing should still be assessed rather than attributed to stress alone.
When is a blocked ear an emergency?
It is urgent when hearing falls suddenly or rapidly, particularly in one ear. Emergency assessment is also needed when blockage occurs with facial weakness, neurological symptoms, severe vertigo, significant trauma or a button battery in the ear.
