Swallowing should feel natural and effortless, but when you suddenly feel ear pain while swallowing, it can catch you off guard.
The connection between the ears, throat and jaw means that tension or inflammation in one area often creates pain in another.
Most causes are treatable, such as sinus congestion, a blocked Eustachian tube, tonsil irritation, or wax build-up.
But persistent pain needs a proper evaluation to rule out infection or structural issues.
In this guide, you will learn:
- Why swallowing can trigger ear pain
- The most common medical and non-medical causes
- How to relieve ear pain naturally
- When to seek professional help
- How Dewaxify can assess blocked ears, wax build-up and hearing changes
Why Does Swallowing Affect Your Ears?
Your throat, jaw and ears are connected through nerves, muscles and the Eustachian tube.
This tube equalises pressure between your middle ear and throat.
Every time you swallow, it briefly opens to release pressure.
When the tube is inflamed or blocked, even a normal swallow can create:
- Sharp pain in one or both ears
- A clicking or popping sound
- Pressure or fullness
- Mild dizziness
This is often why people feel blocked ears after flying, during colds or after diving.
Also Read >>>
Ear and Jaw Pain on One Side: What It Could Mean and When to Get Checked
Common Causes of Ear Pain While Swallowing
| Cause | Why It Hurts | Common Symptoms |
| Eustachian Tube Dysfunction | Tube fails to open while swallowing | Pressure, popping, ear fullness |
| Sinus or Throat Infection | Shared nerves refer pain to the ear | Sore throat, congestion |
| Ear Wax Blockage | Pressure against canal wall worsens on swallowing | Muffled hearing, itching |
| Tonsillitis | Inflammation radiates to the ear | Pain on one side, fever |
| TMJ Tension | Jaw movement stresses joint near ear | Jaw clicking, neck tension |
| Flying or Altitude Change | Pressure imbalance worsens when swallowing | Blocked ears, popping difficulty |
1. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)
This is the most common reason for pain in the ear when swallowing.
Mucus, allergies or inflammation prevent the tube from opening properly.
Symptoms
- Ear pressure
- Clicking when swallowing
- Muffled or underwater hearing
- One-sided ear pain
Why it happens
Colds, allergies and sinus infections can swell the tissue around the tube. This prevents normal pressure relief.
What helps
- Saline nasal spray twice daily
- Steam inhalation
- Gentle Valsalva (blow gently with nose pinched)
- Avoid flying until symptoms improve
2. Sinus or Throat Infection
Infections in the upper airway often spread irritation to the ears because of shared nerve pathways.
This includes:
- Viral sore throat
- Strep throat
- Tonsillitis
- Sinusitis
Symptoms
- Ear pain when swallowing
- Headache or facial pressure
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Lump sensation in throat
Pain usually settles once the throat infection improves.
3. Ear Wax Build-Up
Deep or hardened wax can cause sharp ear discomfort when swallowing.
This happens because pressure changes push wax against the sensitive canal wall.
Signs
- Itching
- Fullness
- Reduced hearing
- Sudden blockage after showers
Professional microsuction procedure can relieve this instantly.
4. Tonsillitis
Swollen tonsils can irritate nerves connected to your ears. This often causes one-sided ear pain when swallowing even when the ear itself is healthy.
Symptoms
- Pain radiating from throat to ear
- Difficulty swallowing
- Red or swollen tonsils
- Fever
Bacterial tonsillitis may need antibiotics.
Related Article >>>
Sudden Hearing Loss: What It Means and Why You Should Act Quickly
5. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain
The jaw joint sits directly in front of the ear.
Swallowing activates jaw muscles, so TMJ tension or grinding often triggers ear discomfort.
Clues
- Pain when chewing or yawning
- Jaw clicking
- Ear pressure without infection
- Neck or temple tension
Warm compresses and avoiding hard foods can help relieve TMJ-related ear pain.
6. Pain After Flying or Altitude Changes
Many people ask how to fix blocked ears after flying because cabin pressure changes can overwhelm the Eustachian tube.
Causes
- Rapid altitude change
- Congestion from a cold
- Allergies
Solutions
- Swallow often during ascent and descent
- Use filtered earplugs
- Try gentle Valsalva
- Avoid sleeping during descent
If blockage persists more than 48 hours, it may be fluid or wax requiring clinical help.
Quick Home Remedies to Relieve Ear Pain
| Remedy | How It Helps | Best For |
| Warm Compress | Relaxes jaw and ear muscles | TMJ tension |
| Steam Inhalation | Opens Eustachian tubes | Sinus congestion |
| Olive Oil Drops | Softens wax | Wax blockage |
| Saline Nasal Spray | Reduces swelling | ETD and allergies |
| Soft Diet | Reduces jaw strain | TMJ-related pain |
| Hydration | Thins mucus | Infection or congestion |
When Ear Pain Needs a Specialist Examination
Seek clinical assessment if you have:
- Ear pain lasting longer than 72 hours
- Pain in ear when swallowing that worsens
- Fever, dizziness or discharge
- Hearing loss on one side
- Persistent blocked ears after flying
- Recurrent tonsillitis or sinus infections
These can indicate an infection, fluid build-up, or structural issue needing treatment.
Dewaxify: London’s Trusted Ear Care Clinic
Dewaxify is a specialist ear clinic located in Ilford, East London, founded in April 2017 by Sita Parmar, a certified Audiological Scientist.
We help hundreds of patients each month with ear pain, hearing changes and wax blockages.
What We Offer
- HD Otoscopy: See inside your ear canal on screen.
- Microsuction Ear Wax Removal: Safe, dry and instant relief.
- Hearing Assessments: Free online hearing test available
- Eustachian Tube and Ear Pressure Evaluation
- Aftercare Support: Step-by-step guidance
Appointment Details
- Price from £60
- Duration: 20 to 30 minutes
- Suitable for adults and children aged six and above
Why You Should Not Ignore Ear Pain
Ear pain that worsens while swallowing can indicate deeper issues like infection or persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction.
If left untreated, this may lead to:
- Temporary hearing loss
- Fluid build-up
- Repeated infections
- Chronic jaw tension
Early evaluation ensures fast relief and safe healing.
Why do I get pain in my ear when swallowing?
It is usually due to Eustachian tube blockage, throat infection, TMJ strain or wax build-up.
How to stop ear pain quickly?
Why do I get pain in my ear when swallowing?
It is usually due to Eustachian tube blockage, throat infection, TMJ strain or wax build-up.
How to relieve jaw and ear pain together?
Soft foods, jaw relaxation, warm compresses and avoiding grinding help ease TMJ-related pain.
Can blocked ears from flying cause pain while swallowing?
Yes. Pressure imbalance irritates the Eustachian tube, causing pain during swallowing.
When should I see a specialist?
If pain lasts over 72 hours, worsens, or affects hearing, book a professional evaluation
