Ear clogging is a common side effect of having a cold, often causing discomfort alongside typical respiratory symptoms. This sensation is described as pressure, fullness, or muffled hearing, similar to being underwater. The feeling occurs because inflammation and congestion extend from the nasal passages into connected areas of the head. This disrupts the normal movement of air and fluid, leading to temporary blockage and pressure changes within the ear. This clogged feeling is usually a temporary symptom that resolves as the cold infection clears.
How a Cold Blocks the Eustachian Tube
The congestion experienced during a cold directly impacts the Eustachian tube, a small channel connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat and nose. This tube equalizes air pressure on both sides of the eardrum and allows fluid to drain from the middle ear. When a cold virus causes inflammation, the mucous membranes lining the upper respiratory tract swell.
This swelling closes off the opening of the Eustachian tube in the nasopharynx, preventing it from opening properly. Inflammation and excess mucus production trap fluid within the middle ear space behind the eardrum. If the tube cannot open, the air trapped in the middle ear is absorbed by the body, creating negative pressure. This negative pressure or trapped fluid causes the symptoms of pain, popping, fullness, and muffled hearing that characterize a clogged ear.
Immediate Relief Methods
Several simple techniques can provide temporary relief by encouraging the Eustachian tube to open and equalize pressure. Actions that engage the muscles around the tube can help to “pop” the ears.
Physical Maneuvers
The following actions can help relieve pressure:
- Swallowing
- Chewing gum
- Yawning widely
- Performing the gentle Valsalva maneuver
To perform the Valsalva maneuver, close your mouth, pinch your nose shut, and gently blow out as if trying to clear your ears. Perform this maneuver softly to avoid excessive pressure against the eardrum.
Inhaling steam from a hot shower or a bowl of hot water can help by moistening and loosening mucus in the nasal passages, which may help open the tube. Over-the-counter medications can target the source of the blockage by reducing swelling and congestion. Oral decongestants or nasal decongestant sprays work by shrinking swollen membranes, helping to ventilate the middle ear. Nasal sprays should only be used for three days or less to prevent rebound congestion.
Identifying Potential Complications
While a clogged ear from a cold often resolves on its own, certain symptoms suggest a secondary issue, like a middle ear infection (otitis media), may have developed. Watch for sharp or throbbing pain inside the ear that is worsening or is accompanied by a fever. Fluid discharge, which may be yellow, brown, or white, draining from the ear canal is a clear sign that medical attention is needed.
If fullness, muffled hearing, or pressure persists for more than five to seven days after other cold symptoms disappear, consult a healthcare provider. Persistent blockage leaves the middle ear vulnerable to infection, as trapped fluid can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Severe dizziness or vertigo, combined with the blocked sensation, also warrants prompt medical evaluation.