A cold can leave you with a stuffy nose, heavy head and sore throat, but one of the most frustrating symptoms is blocked ears.
You might notice muffled hearing, popping sounds, pressure, or discomfort every time you swallow.
These symptoms occur because a cold affects not only your nose and throat, but also your Eustachian tubes, the small passages that balance ear pressure.
The good news is that most cases are temporary. With the right care, you can relieve discomfort and restore normal hearing.
This guide explains why colds block your ears, how to clear them safely, and when to visit Dewaxify for expert ear care.
Why a Cold Causes Blocked Ears?
When you have a cold, the lining of your nose and throat becomes swollen and congested.
Your Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of your throat. Their role is to equalise pressure every time you swallow or yawn.
During a cold, these tubes become inflamed or filled with mucus. This leads to:
- Pressure build-up
- Muffled or reduced hearing
- A feeling of fullness
- Crackling or popping with swallowing
- Mild dizziness
In some cases, fluid gets trapped behind the eardrum, causing temporary hearing loss known as conductive hearing loss.
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Heading: Symptoms of Blocked Ears Due to a Cold
| Symptom | What It Means |
| Muffled hearing | Fluid or mucus affecting sound conduction |
| Ear pressure | Eustachian tube swelling |
| Popping or crackling | Tube trying to open |
| Ear pain when swallowing | Pressure imbalance |
| Dizziness | Inner ear pressure changes |
How Long Do Blocked Ears Last During a Cold?
Most people recover within a few days as congestion improves.
However, ear blockage may last up to two weeks if mucus drainage is slow or if sinus inflammation persists.
If ears remain blocked beyond 14 days, a check-up is recommended.
How to Clear Blocked Ears Due to a Cold
Below are safe methods to relieve ear congestion. These can be done at home as long as you do not have severe pain, fever or discharge.
1. Steam Inhalation
Steam loosens mucus and improves airflow through your sinuses and Eustachian tubes.
Sit comfortably and inhale warm steam for 10 minutes twice daily.
2. Saline Nasal Spray
Saline spray reduces swelling and clears the nasal passages, helping the Eustachian tubes open more easily.
3. Gentle Valsalva Manoeuvre
Blow gently while pinching your nose and keeping your mouth closed.
If successful, you will hear a small pop, indicating pressure release.
Do not blow too hard to avoid eardrum injury.
4. Warm Compress
Place a warm towel over the ear for 10 minutes to ease discomfort and improve circulation.
5. Stay Hydrated
Fluids help thin mucus, making it easier for your tubes to drain.
6. Chewing or Swallowing
Chewing gum, sipping water, or frequent swallowing helps open the Eustachian tubes naturally.
Home Remedies for Clearing Blocked Ears
| Remedy | How It Helps | Best For |
| Steam inhalation | Loosens mucus | Blocked tubes |
| Saline spray | Reduces swelling | Congestion |
| Gentle Valsalva | Equalises pressure | Flight-related blockage |
| Warm compress | Relieves pain | Ear pressure |
| Chewing gum | Opens tube | Mild blockage |
When Ear Blockage Signals Something Else
While blocked ears from a cold are common, certain symptoms may suggest a different cause:
Not typical for cold-related ear blockage
- Severe one-sided ear pain
- Fever over 38.5°C
- Pus or foul-smelling discharge
- Sudden hearing loss
- Vertigo or strong dizziness
- Pain that keeps worsening after the cold clears
These may indicate:
- Middle ear infection
- Outer ear infection
- Fungal infection
- Wax blockage
- Eardrum perforation
- Eustachian tube dysfunction that needs medical care
If unsure, a quick examination at Dewaxify can provide clarity.
Wax Build-Up: A Hidden Cause During Colds
Many patients assume ear blockage is from a cold when it is actually impacted ear wax made worse by congestion.
Wax can trap pressure inside the canal, causing symptoms similar to Eustachian issues.
Signs of wax build-up include:
- Muffled hearing
- Itching
- Fullness
- Sudden blockage after showering
Microsuction ear wax removal at Dewaxify can resolve this in minutes.
Flying With a Cold: Why Ears Feel Worse
Many people also search for how to clear blocked ears due to cold after flying because altitude changes make Eustachian tube blockage more obvious.
Why it happens
- Cabin pressure drops
- Tubes cannot open because of mucus
- Pressure builds rapidly behind the eardrum
Tips
- Use filtered earplugs during takeoff and landing
- Avoid flying when severely congested
- Perform gentle Valsalva
- Use nasal spray 30 minutes before boarding
If ear pain persists after flying, it may indicate fluid build-up or a blocked tube needing evaluation.
When to See a Specialist
Visit a clinician if:
- Symptoms last more than two weeks
- Pain worsens or is severe
- You experience sudden hearing loss
- There is discharge or bleeding
- Dizziness interferes with walking
- You cannot clear blocked ears after flying
Delayed treatment can lead to prolonged fluid retention or chronic pressure issues.
Dewaxify: London’s Ear Care Experts
Dewaxify is a leading ear care clinic in Ilford, East London, founded in 2017 by Sita Parmar, an Audiological Scientist.
We specialise in identifying the real cause of ear blockage and providing safe, instant relief when wax is involved.
Services at Dewaxify
- HD Otoscopy: Live view of your ear canal
- Microsuction Ear Wax Removal: Fast, dry and gentle
- Hearing Tests: Free online or in-clinic
- Eustachian Tube and Pressure Assessment
- Advice for flying, congestion and recurrent blockage
Appointment Details
- Prices start from £60
- 20–30 minute appointment
- Suitable for adults and children aged six and above
Why Dewaxify Is Often the Fastest Fix
If wax is contributing to your blocked ears, no amount of steam or nasal spray will fully clear the problem.
Microsuction immediately restores airflow and hearing.
We also differentiate between wax, middle ear fluid, infection and true Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Still dealing with ear pain when swallowing?
Do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Book a same-day ear examination, microsuction cleaning or pressure check at Dewaxify Ilford and feel the difference right away.
7-Day Plan to Clear Blocked Ears Due to a Cold
| Day | Step | Why It Helps |
| 1 | Steam inhalation twice daily | Loosens mucus |
| 2 | Use saline spray morning and night | Reduces swelling |
| 3 | Gentle Valsalva | Equalises pressure |
| 4 | Warm compress | Relieves discomfort |
| 5 | Hydrate well | Thins mucus |
| 6 | Take Dewaxify’s free hearing test | Checks for conductive hearing loss |
| 7 | Book Dewaxify appointment | Confirm cause and clear blockage |
FAQs
Q1. Why do colds cause blocked ears?
Swelling and mucus block the Eustachian tubes, trapping pressure behind the eardrum.
Q2. How to clear blocked ears due to cold quickly?
Steam, saline spray, the Valsalva manoeuvre and warm compresses help equalise pressure.
Q3. Can wax cause blocked ears during a cold?
Yes. Congestion can worsen wax impaction, making ears feel more blocked.
Q4. When should I see a specialist?
If symptoms last more than 14 days, or you experience pain, hearing loss or discharge.
Q5. Is it safe to fly with blocked ears?
Not recommended. Flying increases pressure and can worsen ear pain.
