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What to do when ears do not pop

If the eustachian tubes become narrowed or blocked due to a disease or condition, you may feel ear pressure that doesn’t go away naturally.

Why Won’t the Pressure in My Ears Go Away and How to Relieve It

Feeling ear pressure is a common occurrence. You can typically treat the causes of ear pressure at home through swallowing, yawning to “pop” your ears, or taking OTC medications. If symptoms continue, contact your doctor.

Many of us have felt pressure in our ears at some point in time. It can be an uncomfortable sensation and feel like one or both ears are plugged up or clogged.

There are many possible causes of pressure in your ears, including changes in altitude, having a sinus infection, and even earwax buildup.

Keep reading to learn about what causes pressure in your ears, ways to relieve the pressure, and when to see a doctor.

You feel ear pressure when the pressure in your middle ear is different from the pressure in the outside environment. It can also be described as a feeling of discomfort, stuffiness, or fullness.

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Small tubes called eustachian tubes regulate the pressure in your middle ear. You have one eustachian tube on each side of your head. They start in the middle ear and end in the area where your nasal cavity and upper throat meet.

Normally, the eustachian tubes open when you do things like swallow or yawn. This naturally equalizes the pressure in your middle ear.

If the eustachian tubes become narrowed or blocked due to a disease or condition, you may feel ear pressure that doesn’t go away naturally.

Common causes Uncommon causes
changes in altitude Meniere’s disease
sinusitis cholesteatoma
ear infections acoustic neuroma
colds fungal ear infection
allergies chronic otitis media
earwax buildup temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
foreign object

Here are explanations for some of the more common causes of ear pressure:

Change in altitude

When altitude changes, your eustachian tubes may not have time to adapt to the change in pressure.

Examples of when this can happen is while flying in an airplane, driving in the mountains, or riding up an elevator in a tall building.

Divers can also experience ear pressure while descending. The pressure from the surrounding water pushes on the middle ear. Divers are taught to descend slowly and equalize middle ear pressure by ventilating through their eustachian tubes.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is when your sinuses, which are the hollow spaces in your face, become inflamed.

This is often due to a viral infection, although in some cases bacteria may cause it as well. When the sinuses swell, you may also feel pressure or fullness in your ears.

Ear infections

An ear infection may also cause ear pressure.

Otitis media is a middle ear infection that occurs when the eustachian tube isn’t draining properly. Fluid buildup can promote the growth of infection-causing viruses or bacteria.

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer portion of the ear that’s typically caused by bacteria found in water. Although it affects the outer ear, people with swimmer’s ear may also feel ear pressure due to swelling and fluid buildup.

Colds

The nasal inflammation and congestion that comes with a cold can also affect the eustachian tubes, preventing them from properly equalizing pressure within your middle ear.

Allergies

A condition called allergic rhinitis can occur in people with allergies to pollen, molds, or pet dander.

This can cause inflammation of the nasal passages and mucus buildup. Like with colds, this can also affect the eustachian tubes as well, causing ear pressure.

Earwax buildup

Earwax is naturally made by the body and protects the inner parts of your ear. Normally, earwax moves down the ear canal to the outer ear where it eventually flakes off.

Buildup of too much earwax can block the ear canal, causing ear pressure.

Foreign object

Having a foreign object stuck in your ear can also cause ear pressure and pain to occur. This may be more common in small children, who can sometimes place foreign objects in their ears, nose, or mouth.

Here are explanations for some uncommon causes of ear pressure:

Meniere’s disease

Meniere’s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear.

It’s caused by the buildup of fluid within the inner ear. This can affect things like balance and how the things you hear signal to your brain. It typically only affects one ear.

Symptoms can include ear pressure, severe dizziness, and hearing loss.

Cholesteatoma

Cholesteatoma happens when skin grows abnormally in your middle ear. It can be present from birth or occur due to frequent ear infections.

In addition to ear pressure, other symptoms can include:

  • foul-smelling drainage
  • pain
  • hearing loss

Acoustic neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor on the eighth cranial nerve, which is responsible for transmitting signals involving balance and hearing to the brain. It’s a rare condition.

One of the main symptoms is hearing loss in the affected ear, however ear pressure and ringing in the ears may also occur.

Fungal ear infection

Fungal infections of the ear are referred to as otomycosis.

Otomycosis can occur in healthy individuals, however having a weakened immune system or an underlying condition such as diabetes can put you at a higher risk.

Feeling like your ear is blocked is one of the symptoms, along with itching, pain, and discharge.

Chronic otitis media

Chronic otitis media is when a middle ear infection doesn’t resolve or keeps returning. It can be accompanied by things like persistence of fluid in the middle ear, a ruptured eardrum, or the presence of cholesteatomas.

Complications from chronic otitis media can include things like:

  • hearing loss
  • damage to facial nerves
  • a bone infection called mastoiditis

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Your TMJ connects your jaw to your skull. TMJ disorders affect this joint.

The cause of many of these disorders is unclear, however some may be caused by damage to the joint or surrounding cartilage.

The main symptom of TMJ disorders is pain or discomfort, either in your jaw, face, or around your ears. Pain can also occur inside your ear.

The treatment for your ear pressure will depend on what’s causing it. Below, we’ll examine some of the ways to treat common causes of ear pressure.

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Altitude changes

Yawning or swallowing can help to open your eustachian tubes and equalize pressure.

You may also consider using an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant nasal spray. However, you should avoid using decongestants in young children.

Wax buildup

Earwax can be removed by using solutions such as mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide to dissolve earwax that’s accumulated in the ear canal.

There are also special tools you can use to remove the wax manually, however this should only be performed under the supervision of a doctor.

Sinus congestion

To relieve sinus congestion, you can use OTC decongestants that can be taken either orally or sprayed into the nose.

OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help to relieve pain or swelling. Additionally, nasal irrigation with a neti pot may also help.

Ear infections

Some ear infections may resolve without antibiotic treatment. OTC pain medication or eardrops may be recommended to help ease pain.

If a bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotics that can be taken orally or given as ear drops may be prescribed.

Allergies

OTC antihistamines (such as Claritin or Zyrtec) or corticosteroid nasal sprays (Flonase, Nasonex) can help to relieve allergy symptoms.

You may also consider nasal irrigation with a neti pot.

Blockage due to foreign object

You can do the following things at home as first aid for a foreign object in the ear:

  • if the object is visible, carefully use tweezers to gently remove it
  • tilt your head to the side to use gravity to remove the object
  • try to wash the object out using a small syringe with warm water to gently irrigate the ear canal

Fluid buildup

Conditions like allergies or colds can affect the eustachian tubes, causing fluid to build up in the middle ear. This fluid can also become infected, leading to otitis media.

Treatment of the condition that’s causing fluid buildup should help it drain. However, in cases where there’s prolonged fluid buildup in the ears, a surgical procedure may be needed to help reduce pressure and drain fluid.

If you frequently have problems with ear pressure, your doctor may suggest a surgical treatment. We’ll explore the possible options below.

Myringotomy

During this procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the eardrum. Any fluid that’s accumulated in the middle ear is then carefully removed.

The incision is usually left open until swelling or blockage of the eustachian tube goes away. You can have a myringotomy with or without ear tubes.

Ear tubes

The placing of tubes is similar to a myringotomy except that after making the incision and draining fluid, a small metal or plastic tube is inserted into the eardrum.

This tube can be kept in place to help relieve pressure and prevent fluid buildup.

While these procedures help to relieve ear pressure, there are some downsides to them as well.

In some cases, the incision in the eardrum may not heal, requiring surgical repair. Additionally, people with tubes in their ears must keep water out of their ears using earplugs or cotton balls while swimming or bathing.

A ruptured eardrum is when there’s a tear in your eardrum, which is the thin piece of tissue that separates your ear canal from your middle ear.

A variety of things can cause your eardrum to rupture, including ear infections, foreign objects, and stress from pressure differences between the middle ear and the outside environment.

You should always be sure to contact your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of a ruptured eardrum. Some symptoms to look out for include:

  • ear pain that comes on and then quickly goes away
  • hearing loss
  • drainage from the ear, which can be bloody, clear, or contain pus
  • feeling a spinning sensation or dizziness (vertigo)
  • having ringing in your ears (tinnitus)

You should make an appointment with your doctor if you experience ear pressure that:

  • is prolonged or gets worse despite at-home treatment
  • comes with symptoms like severe pain, fever, dizziness, or bleeding from your ear
  • is due to a foreign object that cannot be removed using at-home first aid techniques

What to do when ears do not pop

When pressure builds up in the ears, people can usually relieve it by yawning, chewing gum, or wiggling the jaw. If these do not help, a person may need a nasal spray or other medical treatment.

From altitude changes to ear infections, there are many reasons why pressure may build up in the ears. Sometimes, the pressure is easy to relieve, but on occasion, it takes a little longer.

Pressure in the ears develops when air and fluid block one of the major ear tubes, causing what is medically known as ear barotrauma.

The most common places for pressure to develop in the ear are the middle ear and the eustachian tube, which runs from the top of the throat to near the eardrum.

Children and babies are more susceptible to pressure-related blockages in the ears, as they have narrower Eustachian tubes than adults.

In this article, we discuss why people feel pressure in their ears, ways to relieve pressure when the ears do not pop, and tips to prevent it in the future.

Share on Pinterest Many people feel pressure in their ears while on planes or otherwise experiencing altitude changes.

The ears rely on pressure to function. It is because of pressure waves , which increase and decrease slightly, that people are able to hear.

However, the pressure within the ear must match the pressure outside the body. If the pressure either inside or outside the body becomes too high or too low, the ear will try to adapt to regain the balance.

This creates the feeling of the ears needing to pop.

Many factors can cause pressure to build up in the ears. Outside the body, air pressure may change with altitude changes, while depth changes alter hydrostatic pressure in water.

Activities in which altitude and hydrostatic pressure can change include :

  • flying on an airplane
  • scuba diving
  • commercial diving
  • hyperbaric oxygen treatment

Internal causes, such as congestion, can induce a buildup of air or fluid in the eustachian tube in the ear. This buildup creates a feeling of pressure in the ears.

The blockage to the eustachian tube may come from:

  • earwax
  • water
  • fluid and mucus from a sinus infection
  • seasonal allergies, such as hay fever

When pressure builds up in the ears, it can cause pain and discomfort, but it can also affect the person’s hearing and cause dizziness.

To relieve pressure, people can first try to pop the ears by opening the eustachian tube. They can do this by:

  • yawning
  • chewing gum
  • screaming
  • swallowing
  • wiggling the jaw
  • exhaling gently against a closed airway in the Valsalva maneuver

If possible, sucking on hard candy, such as a lollipop, can be a nice, gentle way of keeping the ear tubes open. For a baby, sucking on a bottle or pacifier can have the same effect.

People can try to prepare before an activity that is likely to increase the pressure in the ears. For instance, it may help to begin wiggling the jaw just before a plane takes off so that the ears have longer to adjust to the outside pressure.

Treatments for pressure in the ears can be either preventive, such as for a person about to take a flight, or curative, for those who have blocked ears that they cannot pop.

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A doctor may prescribe preventive treatments if a person has preexisting ear problems.

For people without severe problems, a pharmacy will sell over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays and decongestants that can release pressure in the ears. One example is oral pseudoephedrine .

OTC options are suitable for scuba divers to take before a descent or air travelers to take before a flight. However, a person should not use them too frequently as their extended use can result in complications.

For instance, decongestant nasal sprays may stop offering relief and instead increase congestion if a person overuses them.

To relieve pressure after it has built up in the ears, a doctor can dilate the eustachian tube. To do this, they may use a eustachian tube balloon dilation or a pressure equalization tube, which releases fluid and pressure from the eardrum to the ear canal.

If these treatments do not work, a doctor may perform a surgical incision in the eardrum to release fluid and pressure. Surgery may also be necessary if a person ruptures their eardrum.

Scientists are still conducting research, but a device known as an Ear Popper , which delivers a stream of air through the nasal cavity to clear the area, may soon be available.

It is important to be cautious when relieving pressure in the ears, as an excessive pressure change in the ear may cause a burst or ruptured eardrum, also called a perforated tympanic membrane.

If the eardrum ruptures, it can cause other complications, including :

  • hearing loss
  • ear infection
  • vertigo
  • chronic pain
  • injury to the external ear

The best way to prevent a pressure buildup in the ears depends on the cause. If a person knows that they are about to participate in an activity with an increase or decrease in external pressure, they can prepare by treating the problem before it begins.

For example, a person can reduce the chances of blocked ears while scuba diving by keeping the pressure inside the ears in line with the pressure of the outside environment.

Divers do this by continually equalizing, which involves pinching the nose and gently blowing out. They do this throughout the dive but with particular attention during descent. Scuba divers also follow a golden rule of never holding their breath while underwater, as this can cause pulmonary barotrauma .

Another example is in hyperbaric chambers , where people undergo a form of oxygen therapy. Here, doctors minimize the chances of pressure building up in the ears by controlling the compression rate and consistency of the pressure within the chamber.

As we discussed above, a person can reduce the buildup of pressure during a flight by sucking on candy, wiggling the jaw, or using other similar methods to keep the eustachian tube open.

Regularly inhaling tobacco smoke increases the risk of severely blocked ears. A person may be able to lower the pressure in their ears by refraining from smoking.

The ears rely on a fine balance of pressure to function effectively. If the balance between the pressure within the ear and that outside the body changes, the ears will adapt to match the external pressure. This creates the sensation of ears feeling as though they need to pop.

Before an activity that may put pressure on the ears, such as flying, people can try popping the ears before the pressure becomes too great.

If the ears will not pop, it is important not to force them. While pressure in the ears can be highly uncomfortable, it is generally not dangerous, and a rapid change of pressure in the ear can put the eardrum at risk.

It sometimes takes a few days for the pressure to balance out, but a person will then notice a “pop” as the eustachian tube clears.

Last medically reviewed on August 12, 2020

  • Ear, Nose, and Throat
  • Pain / Anesthetics

How we reviewed this article:

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • Chapter 2: Basics of sound, the ear, and hearing. (2004). Hearing loss: Determining eligibility for social security benefits.
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What to Do When Your Ears Won’t Pop

Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children.

Updated on April 04, 2023

Benjamin F. Asher, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist. He has a private practice in New York City where he focuses on natural and integrative healing.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents

When your ears are blocked, there are several ways to help them pop. Sometimes swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum can help. But how do these techniques help clear your ears?

Your body usually balances the air pressure on both sides of your eardrum. When the pressure changes between the middle ear and the outside, you will feel like your ears are plugged. If there’s a lot of pressure change, it might even hurt.

Verywell / Emily Roberts

In some cases, the air in your middle ear can have trouble adjusting to the pressure. This can happen when you are diving in water or flying in an airplane. It could even happen when you drive up or down a steep mountain.

Your middle ear usually adjusts to the pressure difference eventually. When it does, you will feel your ears pop. Sometimes you may need to help equalize the pressure by yawning or swallowing.

Certain medical conditions may impact your ability to pop your ears. When this happens, you may need to see a healthcare provider.

This article discusses why your ears may feel plugged and the best ways to pop your ears fast. It also explains some of the conditions that can make it hard to pop your ears and relieve the pressure.

What Causes the Feeling of Plugged Ears?

If your ears won’t pop, you’ll be stuck with a full or plugged feeling in your ears. Pressure in your ears that won’t go away can be caused by several things.

The eustachian tubes connect each middle ear to the upper part of your throat. They are also called auditory tubes. The popping sensation you feel happens when air moves from the upper part of your throat and nose through the eustachian tube into your middle ear.

Any medical condition that affects your eustachian tubes can prevent you from being able to pop your ears easily.

Effective Ways to Pop Your Ears

If you’ve tried everything and your ears won’t pop, take a look at this list. There might be a few ideas for unclogging your ears that you hadn’t thought of, such as:

  • Swallowing
  • Yawning
  • Chewing gum
  • Sucking on hard candy
  • Using decongestants like Afrin (oxymetazoline) or Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) before traveling
  • Applying a warm compress to your ear
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If those steps don’t make your ears pop, there are also some other strategies you can try:

  • Valsalva maneuver: Inhale. Pinch your nose closed. Keeping lips closed, try to blow out forcefully, as if you are blowing up a balloon. Bear down as if you are having a bowel movement. This increases pressure in the sinuses and middle ears, helping them pop.
  • Toynbee maneuver: Keep your mouth closed, pinch your nose shut, and swallow. This increases pressure in the nose, throat, and inner ears, helping ears pop.

If you are traveling with an infant or toddler, try giving them a bottle, pacifier, or drink.

If the pressure difference continues and can’t pop your ears, you may experience ear pain. It is also possible for this to lead to barotrauma, which is a ruptured eardrum.

Why Your Ears Won’t Pop

If you feel pressure, pain, or your ears feel plugged, but they won’t pop, you may have an ear disorder. Disorders that affect the function of your auditory tube can cause this problem.

Fluid in the Ear

If your ears won’t pop you might have fluid in your ears. Thickened fluid blocks the auditory tube and prevents the fluid from draining into the back of the throat. Sometimes this is caused by an ear infection.

This condition has a few different names, including:

  • Serous otitis media
  • Glue ear
  • Otitis media with effusion

The adenoids are patches of tissue located high in your throat. When they become enlarged, they may block the auditory tubes, causing fluid to get trapped in the ear. This can also happen when the tissues in your nasal passages become swollen.

If the auditory tube is blocked by surrounding tissue, the tissue may have to be removed.

Frequent issues with fluid in the ear can be treated with a surgical procedure to insert artificial ear tubes. They let the ear drain and equalize pressure.

If you have ear tubes, your ears will not pop. This is because the tube will automatically equalize pressure.

Excessive Earwax

Ears that won’t pop can also be caused by having a buildup of earwax. Too much earwax can also impair the function of your auditory tube. There are a few ways that your healthcare provider can remove the earwax. It can usually be done in their office.

Wax can be removed with special ear drops that dissolve the wax. It can also be flushed out with water. The healthcare provider can also use a special instrument called a cerumen spoon to remove the wax.

Do not use ear candles or cotton swabs to remove wax. This may push the wax down further.

A heavy earwax blockage should be removed by an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT).

Congestion

If your ears won’t pop and you’ve had a cold recently, you might have mucus in your ears. Too much mucus can make it hard to maintain pressure in the middle ear space. If you have allergies, try taking a decongestant before boarding an airplane or going on a road trip to a higher elevation.

Cold viruses also cause congestion, but if this symptom lasts longer than about three weeks, see a healthcare provider. Your congestion may be caused by allergies or another condition.

Patulous Eustachian Tube

Sometimes, having ears that won’t pop no matter what you try is a sign that there’s something wrong with your ear tubes.

Patulous eustachian tube is a disorder in which the tube is always open. It is an uncommon condition. Symptoms include:

  • The sensation of plugged ears
  • Tinnitus , a ringing sound in the ear
  • Autophony, when your voice seems abnormally loud to you
  • Hearing your own breathing

If you have patulous eustachian tube, keeping hydrated is crucial. Be sure to drink enough fluids throughout the day and consider using a humidifier at night.

Treatment for patulous eustachian tube includes non-invasive methods and surgery. Nasal sprays including saline, antihistamines, decongestants, or corticosteroids may be recommended. However, medicated nasal sprays can sometimes make it worse.

Ear tubes are effective about half the time. Other treatments include cauterizing the eustachian tube, injection of cartilage-fillers, and manipulating the muscles around the eustachian tube.

Other Causes

When you’ve tried everything to get your ears to pop and have not been successful, you might need to see a provider to find out if you have a problem with your ears. Some other conditions that can cause problems with your auditory tube include:

  • Sinusitis, an infection of your nasal passages
  • Nasal polyps, which are growths in your nasal passages
  • Enlarged turbinates. Turbinates are structures in your nasal passages that help warm and humidify the air you breathe in.
  • Tonsillitis, an inflammation of the tonsils

Usually, an ENT practitioner will be able to help treat or manage any of the above problems. Your ENT may prescribe medications. In some cases, ear surgery may be required.

These conditions may make it uncomfortable or painful to travel. See a healthcare provider ahead of time so you can resolve these problems before you go.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If at-home treatments to get your ears to pop don’t work in a day or two, or if your symptoms worsen, you may have a sinus or ear infection. These symptoms warrant a call to your healthcare provider or a trip to a walk-in clinic:

  • Severe headache or facial pain
  • Pain and congestion that worsens after improving
  • Fever that lasts longer than 72 hours

When to Seek Emergency Treatment

A ruptured eardrum—a hole or tear in your eardrum—is serious and can cause hearing loss. See a healthcare provider right away if you have these symptoms of a ruptured eardrum:

  • Blood or fluid draining from the ear
  • An intense earache followed by a pop and sudden relief of pain
  • Difficulty hearing

Summary

If your ears won’t pop, it can lead to a lot of discomfort. The sensation of having clogged ears happens when your body can’t equalize the pressure in your ears because your eustachian (auditory) tubes are blocked. Some of the best ways to pop your ears are yawning, swallowing, or chewing. Taking decongestants may also help make your ears pop fast.

There are a number of conditions that can cause a blocked feeling in your ears, including fluid in the ear, excess earwax, and congestion. Some problems like sinusitis and tonsillitis may require treatment by a healthcare provider.

A Word From Verywell

If you’ve tried everything and your ears won’t pop, you might be dealing with an underlying condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare provider.

Ear problems that affect the ability to equalize pressure can be bothersome or even painful. They may get in the way of your enjoyment of activities like traveling by plane and scuba diving. Sometimes you won’t know you have a problem until you are already participating in the activity.

If your ears do not pop and you feel like they are clogged or you are experiencing significant ear pain, see a healthcare provider. You should also see a healthcare provider at once if you have symptoms of a ruptured eardrum.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent airplane ear?

  • Take a decongestant 30 minutes to an hour before traveling
  • Use ear plugs
  • Chew gum or repeatedly yawn as the plane takes off and lands

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