Can’t get your ear unclogged? If not, it can be a concerning feeling, though it usually doesn’t cause much pain. So, what actually causes the feeling of a clogged ear, and is it related to an ear infection?

Our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team has some answers, so read on.

Why Is My Ear Clogged?

There are several different explanations, but one of the biggest culprits of clogged ears is Eustachian tube blockage. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the throat.

Fluid and mucus flow from the ear to the back of the throat through this tube, where it’s swallowed. Sometimes, however, fluid and mucus can become trapped in the middle ear, which causes a clogging sensation, and at times, can lead to a future ear infection. We’ve listed a few other common causes of ear clogging below.

Other Causes of Ear Clogging

• Higher altitude—In addition to what we’ve previously mentioned, the Eustachian tube is responsible for equalizing pressure in the middle ear. At higher altitudes, however, it can’t always equalize pressure properly. As a result, the change in air pressure creates a clogging sensation.
• Earwax—Wax is normally soft, but it can harden and cause a blockage in the ear.
• Acoustic neuroma—Acoustic neuroma, which is quite rare, is a benign growth that develops on the cranial nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain. These tumors are usually slow-growing and small, but they can become larger and put pressure on nerves in the inner ear, which can cause a clogged ear.

How Can I Be Sure It’s Not an Ear Infection?

An ear infection is an infection of the middle ear, which is the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear.

Unlike a typical clogged ear, ear infections are often quite painful and can result in other health complications when not treated quickly. We’ve listed the common symptoms of ear infections among adults below.

Common Ear Infection Symptoms Among Adults

• Ear pain
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Trouble hearing
• A feeling of fullness in the ear
• Nausea

Dealing with a clogged ear or a possible ear infection? Visit our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team to get the treatment you need today.