Common causes for plugged up ears are swimmer's ear, an excessive buildup of earwax or an ear infection. Sometimes clogged ears are caused by more a more serious condition, such as a ruptured eardrum. Home remedies are often effective in relieving the clogged feeling in ears due to swimmer's ear and excessive earwax buildup.
Swimmer's Ear
If your ears are plugged due to water in your ears, which can happen after swimming or showering, a home drying solution may help. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, suggests making an ear drying solution out of one drop of isopropyl alcohol and one drop of white vinegar. Pour the solution into the affected ear to dry the water and inhibit the growth of bacteria. If bacteria is allowed to grow, a bacterial ear infection can develop.
Earwax
Earwax, also called cerumen, is a natural substance that in normal quantities is beneficial to the ears. The wax lubricates the ear canals and traps dirt and debris. When earwax builds up to abnormal amounts, ears feel clogged. Some people are naturally prone to excessive wax buildup. People who wear earplugs frequently or who wear in the ear hearing aids are more susceptible to wax buildup, because earplugs and hearing aids prevent earwax from draining out of the ears. An effective home remedy for excessive earwax is olive oil. Pour three drops of olive oil in each ear. The olive oil softens hardened wax so that it can drain out naturally on its own. To soften the wax, you may have to repeat the olive oil application daily for up to four days.
Bacterial Infection
If the sensation of plugged ears is accompanied with severe, sharp or nagging pain, an ear infection is the likely culprit. An ear infection should by a doctor who can prescribe prescription antibiotic eardrops.
Ear Candling
Ear candling is a home remedy that is recommended by some natural health practitioners, but the Vanderbilt University Health Psychology Department warns that ear candling is ineffective, unsafe and can potentially damage the ears. Ear candling is a technique in which the end of a hollow cone-shaped candle is inserted into the ear canal. The other end of the candle is lit using matches. The theory is that the candle sucks earwax out of the ear, pulling it into the candle. People who use an ear candle often believe it to be effective when they see black debris inside of the candle. However, the black debris is melted candle wax and soot, not earwax.
Tips
The Mayo Clinic recommends keeping the nasal sinuses clear when you have a cold or allergies to help prevent the ears from becoming plugged up. Individuals who are experiencing plugged up ears should use a humidifier to loosen nasal congestion or use a saline (saltwater) nasal spray to clear their nose.
Warnings
Do not use home remedies if you have ear tubes, a ruptured eardrum or pus coming out of your ears. Avoid putting anything, besides appropriate ear drops in your ear, past the ear canal. Because plugged ears can be a symptom of a variety of conditions, it is always wise to see a doctor for diagnosis. In addition, if you use home treatments and they fail to relieve the blockage in your ears after four days, seek treatment from a medical professional.
