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Plugged ears can be caused by congestion, wax buildup, inner ear infections, inflammation, or water trapped in the ear canal. Treatment varies depending on the cause, but cleaning ears and using ear drops can help. Seek medical assistance if an object is lodged in the ear.
Plugged ears are commonly caused by congestion associated with colds and allergies. Blockages or swelling within the inner ear tubes can also make the ears feel plugged and congested. In some cases, plugged ears can be caused by wax buildup inside the ear canal. Most of the time ear congestion is temporary and not considered a serious health risk.
In some cases, plugged ears can be the result of an inner ear infection. This type of infection is very common in young children and can sometimes cause a high fever and severe earache. Treatment for inner ear infection usually involves a course of antibiotics, such as penicillin and ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain and fever.
Ear infections are typically found within the Eustachian tubes. These tubes are located behind the eardrum in an area of the ear canal called the middle ear. The Eustachian tubes are lined with mucus, and when people have a cold or congestion, the tubes tend to produce more mucus, and the lining of the tubes can swell and become irritated. If the tubes swell too much, fluid inside the ear gets trapped and this can cause bacteria to build up. This buildup often results in a bacterial infection within the ear canal.
Even without the presence of infection, inflammation inside the ear can cause stuffy ears and ear pain. Other causes of inflammation could include a foreign object lodged inside the ear canal or excessive deposits of earwax. For people who believe they have an object lodged in their ear, they probably shouldn’t attempt to remove it themselves, but should seek the assistance of a doctor.
Cleaning your ears frequently can help reduce the risk of plugged ears due to excess earwax. Also, ear drops can help dissolve earwax that has built up deep inside the ear. These drops are usually available without a prescription in most pharmacies.
Another condition, sometimes referred to as “swimmer’s ear,” often causes plugged ears and is usually the result of water becoming trapped inside the ear canal. Symptoms of swimmer’s ear include inner ear itching and congestion, and in some cases, hearing may be somewhat impaired. If drainage can be done, sometimes swimmer’s ear will clear up without antibiotics. To induce drainage, some people use bulb syringes to draw out the fluid. Bulb syringes are available at most pharmacies.
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