Summer is a time for holidays, swimming and travel, but this is also the season when many people encounter an uncomfortable problem – blocked ears. Blocked ears can make everyday conversation difficult, cause headaches and even lead to temporary balance problems. Why does this happen, how can you safely help yourself, and when is it time to turn to the family nurse or doctor at a private clinic?
Why do ears become blocked? Two main causes
In most cases, the feeling of blockage is related either to pressure changes or to a blockage of the ear canal.
1. Pressure changes and barotrauma
Our ear consists of the outer, middle and inner ear. Most of the sensation of blockage is related to the middle ear, where the Eustachian tube is located. This is a narrow canal that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and regulates the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum. When this canal closes or becomes blocked, the middle ear cannot quickly adapt to changes in external pressure. This is called barotrauma.
It most often occurs:
- During air travel (especially at take-off and landing)
- When diving
- In the mountains, or when driving sharply uphill by car
- When riding a fast lift
Please note! The Eustachian tube also closes easily due to a cold, upper respiratory tract illnesses and allergies. Because the nose and throat are directly connected to the middle ear, swelling of the mucous membrane spreads there. Due to the swelling, fluid accumulates in the middle ear, which is a favourable environment for bacteria and, if left untreated, can lead to a painful middle ear infection. A cold during air travel significantly increases the risk of barotrauma.
2. Earwax (cerumen) and summer water
Earwax is actually useful – it traps dust, dirt and bacteria. Sometimes, however, the glands produce too much wax, or a person hereditarily has narrower and more winding ear canals, so the wax cannot escape naturally while chewing and talking.
In summer, people go swimming a lot. Water that gets into the ear canal after swimming or showering makes the wax there swell, creating a sudden blockage, i.e. a wax plug. If water stays in the ear too long, it disrupts the ear canal’s natural acidic environment and can cause an outer ear infection, commonly known as “swimmer’s ear”.
A note about morning blockage: If your ears are blocked specifically in the morning, this is often related to your sleeping position (sleeping on one ear encourages wax to settle close to the eardrum) and to mild swelling of the nasal mucosa that occurs when lying down. This problem usually resolves on its own within a few hours after getting up and starting to move around.
How to safely help yourself
Depending on the cause of the problem, you can use the following techniques:
- For pressure changes (on a plane, in the mountains): The simplest thing is to activate the throat muscles – yawn, swallow saliva or chew gum. If that is not enough, use the Valsalva manoeuvre: breathe in a normal amount of air, pinch your nostrils shut with your fingers, close your mouth and blow gently through your nose, as if trying to blow your nose. Stop immediately when you hear a slight pop. Do not use excessive force, so as not to injure the eardrum!
- To soften earwax: Use special ear drops or sprays sold at the pharmacy (e.g. those containing hydrogen peroxide or natural oils).
- To get water out of the ear: Tilt your head towards the blocked ear and gently pull the earlobe down and back – this straightens the ear canal and the water flows out. You can also hop while tilting your head to help the water leave the ear. Another option is to use a hairdryer: set it to the lowest warm-air setting and hold it about 30 cm from the ear so the moisture evaporates.
- For a cold and a runny nose: Focus on reducing the swelling of the nasal mucosa. Use over-the-counter nasal sprays (e.g. those containing xylometazoline) and inhale hot-water steam, which thins the mucus and reduces pressure in the middle ear.
🚫 What you should definitely avoid
When an ear is blocked, doctors strictly warn against the following:
1. Cotton buds and other objects
Cotton buds are intended exclusively for cleaning the outer ear! Pushed into the ear, they press the wax into an even denser plug against the eardrum. Hairpins, matches or long nails can scratch the delicate ear canal, leading to infection or rupture of the eardrum. If your ear itches, rub it from the outside with the soft side of your finger.
2. Excessive force during the Valsalva manoeuvre
If the ear does not open on the first couple of attempts, do not blow harder – this can cause inner ear injuries.
3. Ear candles
Hundreds of cases have been documented in medicine where ear candles have caused burns to the face and ear canal, or where hot wax has dripped directly onto the eardrum. Complicated surgical intervention is later needed to correct such serious hearing damage.
How to prevent ear problems
The basic rule is simple: let your ears clean themselves. Cleaning by a person should be limited to washing only the outer ear with warm water and a soft towel in the shower.
Additional prevention tips:
- For air travellers: Use pressure-regulating earplugs. If you are prone to blocked ears, use a nasal spray half an hour before landing or take a decongestant allergy medication. Drink enough water to keep mucus fluid.
- For hereditary or increased wax production: As a preventive measure, use an olive-oil-based spray sold at the pharmacy (e.g. Vaxol) once a week. This helps the wax exit naturally before it builds up into a dense plug.
🏊 Attention swimmers: protect your ears correctly
Special swimming plugs and earplugs protect the ears from water, but with prolonged use they can actually promote excess moisture. They block the natural air exchange, so sweat and body heat can condense in the ear canal. To prevent this, follow these rules:
- Prefer plugs made of medical silicone or foam, which are more breathable and hygienic.
- Dry your ears carefully with a soft towel after every swim.
- Remove the plugs from your ears immediately after swimming so the ear canal can dry and ventilate fully.
Professional ear irrigation at a private clinic
If a wax plug has already formed, the safest thing is to turn to a family nurse for ear irrigation. This is a quick and usually completely painless procedure that takes 15–20 minutes.
What to know before coming for the procedure?
- Preparation at home: A few days to a week before irrigation, we ask that you be sure to apply wax-dissolving oils sold at the pharmacy (e.g. Vaxol can be applied daily). This softens the plug and allows the nurse to remove it more easily.
- Contraindications: Ear irrigation is not performed if there is acute inflammation in the ear or if the eardrum is perforated (damaged). The nurse can check these conditions on site with a special instrument.
- Good to know: Regular irrigation without indication is not recommended, as it can irritate the skin. If during the visit it turns out that irrigation cannot be performed for reasons related to the patient (e.g. there is inflammation or there is no actual need for irrigation), the visit and consultation are subject to payment according to the clinic’s price list.
When should you definitely see a doctor?
In most cases, blocked ears are temporary, but see a doctor or family nurse immediately if:
- The blockage lasts longer than a week
- The blockage is accompanied by strong or sharp pain
- Blood, fluid or yellow pus discharges from the ear
- It is accompanied by high fever, dizziness or balance problems
- You notice sudden and complete hearing loss
At the clinic, a specialist can use an ear microscope or otoscope to accurately assess whether it is a deep wax plug, inflammation or another health concern, and prescribe the correct and safe treatment.
Take proper care of your ears and enjoy summer to the fullest!
