A feeling of pressure or uncomfortable fullness in the ear often signals congestion affecting the middle ear. This blocked or muffled sensation typically results from the ear’s inability to properly manage air pressure and fluid. Methods for getting mucus out of the ear focus on physically opening the connecting passage or treating the underlying inflammation causing the blockage.
Why Mucus Accumulates in the Ear
The sensation of fluid in the ear is primarily a symptom of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD). The Eustachian tube is a narrow canal connecting the middle ear cavity to the back of the throat (nasopharynx). Its main function is to equalize air pressure for optimal hearing and to drain naturally produced fluid or mucus from the middle ear into the throat.
When an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or allergies, causes the lining of the nasal passages and throat to swell, this inflammation can block the opening of the Eustachian tube. When the tube cannot open properly, fluid and mucus produced by the middle ear lining become trapped. This trapped fluid and resulting negative pressure behind the eardrum create the feeling of blockage, fullness, and muffled hearing.
Immediate Techniques for Pressure Equalization
Immediate relief focuses on actively forcing the Eustachian tube open to equalize pressure. The Valsalva maneuver is a common method involving gently creating positive pressure in the nasopharynx. To perform it, take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth, and attempt to exhale gently. The goal is a gentle pop or click in the ear, indicating the tube has opened; avoid exhaling too forcefully to prevent eardrum damage.
Less forceful methods stimulate the muscles attached to the Eustachian tube, encouraging it to open. Simple actions like chewing gum, swallowing repeatedly, or yawning widely can provide temporary relief. These movements activate the tensor veli palatini muscle, which controls the tube’s opening and closing.
Other techniques include the Toynbee maneuver, which involves pinching the nose while swallowing a small sip of water. This creates a vacuum in the nasopharynx that can pull the Eustachian tube open. The Lowry maneuver combines these actions by pinching the nose and gently exhaling while simultaneously swallowing.
Over-the-Counter Relief and Environmental Aids
Treating the underlying cause of the blockage—inflammation and excess mucus production—provides longer-lasting relief.
Medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) oral decongestants, such as those containing pseudoephedrine, shrink blood vessels in the nasal and throat linings. This reduction in swelling helps open the Eustachian tube, allowing trapped fluid to drain more easily. However, these medications should only be used for a few days to avoid potential side effects.
Nasal corticosteroid sprays, such as fluticasone, target inflammation directly in the nasal passages. By reducing swelling in the mucous membranes, these sprays can help clear the area around the Eustachian tube opening. Saline nasal sprays or irrigation systems, like a neti pot, physically wash away thick mucus and irritants from the nasal cavity. The salt in saline solutions can also help shrink swollen tissues.
Environmental Aids
Environmental adjustments encourage mucus thinning and drainage. Inhaling steam from a hot shower or using a humidifier can moisturize the nasal and throat passages. Keeping the mucus thin and flowing supports the tube’s natural drainage function. Drinking plenty of water also helps maintain hydration, which contributes to thinner mucus secretions.
When to Seek Professional Help
Most cases of ear fullness due to congestion resolve with home care, but certain symptoms require evaluation by a healthcare provider. Seek medical attention if the feeling of blockage, pressure, or muffled hearing lasts for more than a week despite using home remedies. Persistent symptoms may indicate an ongoing issue requiring prescription treatment.
Immediate professional consultation is warranted for severe ear pain, the onset of fever, or any discharge from the ear canal, especially if it is bloody or pus-like. Sudden dizziness, vertigo, or significant acute hearing loss should also prompt a visit to a doctor. These symptoms may suggest an infection or complication.