What to Do When Your Ears Are Stuffed Up?

Stuffed-up ears are no fun. You might feel like there is air stuck in your ears; you might not be able to hear very well; and you might hear whooshing noises that are distracting and bothersome. There are several solutions that you can try to help fix your stuffed-up ears before they become unbearable.

Take a decongestant to help relieve pressure in stuffed-up ears. According to Web MD, your ear canal passages can get blocked by the same types of mucus that congest other areas of your body. Decongestants are drugs developed to clear up congestion in your sinus, chest and ear passages. Web MD suggests several different types of decongestants, such as Tylenol D. The Family Doctor online suggestions Sudafed or Contac.

Use decongestants according to the package and do not take more than listed. Discontinue use and see your doctor if congestion in your ear passages lasts for more than three days.

Deal with your stuffed-up sinuses to help your stuffed-up ears. The Family Doctor online suggests that stuffed-up nasal and sinus passages increase pressure on the tubes that lead to your ear. This is why you will feel more pressure in your ears if you fly with a stuffed-up nose. Use a nasal decongestant spray to clear your sinuses, and then see if your ears become unblocked. If they do, speak to your doctor and tell him that you are having blocked or stuffy ears due to a stuffed-up nose. He will be able to prescribe you sinus medication. Do not use nasal spray for more than three days, as increased nasal stuffiness can occur.

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Clean out your ears to see if a wax buildup has led to your stuffiness. Do not use cotton swabs, as this will push wax farther into your ear. To clean out your ears to remove stuffiness, the American Academy of Otolaryngology suggests irrigation, which is a process done with water or saline to remove wax from your ears. If you haven't done it before, talk to your doctor before trying the process. Ear washes and ear irrigation liquids can be purchased over the counter or by prescription. Discuss with your doctor the best course of action for ear irrigation, and if you go with an over-the-counter method, read the label carefully. Most products will instruct you to put the drops in your ears, let them sit for a few minutes, and then turn your head slowly to allow the drops and any ear wax to run out.