A common culprit for muffled hearing is excessive ear wax (cerumen). Ear wax can sometimes build up in the ear canal and cause a blockage. This ear wax can dry up and harden over time, increasing the risk of impaction. Impacted ear wax can affect your ability to hear.
If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.
In many cases, a muffled ear will go away on its own. This is especially true for conditions like airplane ear, or sickness-related hearing loss. Even certain ear infections will resolve themselves if given time, but there are some instances where you should not wait to seek medical treatment.
What Causes Muffled Hearing? If your ear feels clogged and muffled, you may have a Middle Ear Infection, also known as Otitis Media. You may even see fluid visibly draining from the ear, and it will probably also be sensitive to touch. In more severe cases, it can cause nausea and vomit.
Common causes of blocked or plugged up ears
Why is sound muffled when there doesn't appear to be anything inside your ear canal? The causes can range from the earwax to allergies to infections (yes, including COVID) to more insidious conditions like an anxiety disorder or Meniere's disease.
Allergies, head colds, pregnancy, and air pressure are some common reasons it may feel like your ears are full. Typically, plugged ears settle after a few days. Decongestants and nasal sprays are the best treatment for plugged ears that allergies and head colds cause.
But sometimes, muffled hearing is due to a serious condition like a tumor or head injury. See a doctor for any sudden hearing loss or for muffled hearing that doesn't improve with self-care.
Your ear may unblock on its own within hours or days. But several home remedies and medications can provide fast relief. As you treat a clogged ear, it's also helpful to identify possible causes of the blockage. By doing so, you and your doctor can determine the best way to treat the clog and prevent future problems.
Common causes include fluid in the middle ear, hay fever, allergies or over-excessive nose blowing. Ear pain can be associated with ear congestion in cases of infections or with airplane travel, with sudden changes in barometric pressure, which most often occurs during descent.
Ears that are clogged from water or air pressure may be resolved quickly. Infections and earwax buildup can take up to a week to clear up. In some circumstances, especially with a sinus infection that you're having a hard time shaking, it can take longer than a week.
Blocked ears result from unequalised pressure. Blocked ears are very common and usually relatively mild. This condition affects the Eustachian tubes, which become unable to equalise pressure between the ear and the back of the throat. As pressure builds up it can result in blocked ears, pain and hearing problems.
Mucus or pus can build up behind the eardrum, causing pressure and pain. In general, COVID-19 has not been associated with ear infections, and generally these types of infections do not share a great deal of common symptoms.
Massage the outside of the ear
Sometimes this is all it takes to release an earwax blockage. Massage the ear in a circular pattern softening impaction. Once you've massaged your ear for a little bit try pulling your earlobe backwards. This will be particularly effective in tandem with the use of oil.
Eustachian tube dysfunction occurs when the Eustachian tube — which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat — doesn't open and close properly. When the Eustachian tube doesn't open and close properly, it can cause that clogged-up feeling.
Ear congestion occurs when your Eustachian tube becomes obstructed or is not functioning properly. The Eustachian tube is a small canal that runs between your nose and your middle ear. It helps equalize the pressure in your middle ear.
Your eustachian tubes may not be able to open or close properly when you have allergies, a cold, sinus infections, or polyps or tumors in your nose. This causes ear popping or crackling sounds.
Temporary hearing loss occurs with an ear infection, excessive ear wax, or exposure to loud noise. However, if hearing is lost and cannot be regained, it is considered permanent hearing loss.
Popping your ears is when you open the Eustachian tube to equalize pressure between your inner and middle ear. And don't worry, it's perfectly safe. In fact, popping your ears can help relieve any pain associated with clogged ears and unequal ear pressure.
Is it safe to pop your ears? Having clogged ears can be uncomfortable and may muffle your hearing. When this happens, popping your ears may help. Popping your ears is generally safe.
Popping your ears can liquids from your nose to enter your ear, which can then cause an ear infection. The second way that popping your ears can be unsafe is that you run the risk of blowing out your eardrums.
See a doctor if you're unable to unclog your ears with home remedies. If you have a buildup of wax, manual wax removal by an ear, nose, and throat doctor may be necessary. These doctors use specialized tools to create suction and remove wax from the ear.
Most ruptured (perforated) eardrums heal without treatment within a few weeks. Your provider may prescribe antibiotic drops if there's evidence of infection. If the tear or hole in the eardrum doesn't heal by itself, treatment will likely involve procedures to close the tear or hole.
Signs of a perforated eardrum, or an ear infection caused by a perforated eardrum, include: sudden hearing loss – you may find it difficult to hear anything or your hearing may just be slightly muffled. earache or pain in your ear. itching in your ear.