The feeling of having a clogged ear certainly isn’t a pleasant one. Even though the sensation of a clogged ear isn’t usually painful, it can be stressful not knowing what is causing this unusual occurrence.

Luckily, our AFC Urgent Care Boulder team is here for you as we provide some common reasons why your ear might feel clogged, 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 flows 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 an ear infection. This isn’t always the case, though, so we’ve listed some other common causes of ear clogging below.

Other Causes of Ear Clogging

• Higher altitude—The Eustachian tube is responsible for equalizing pressure in the middle ear. But at higher altitudes, it can’t always equalize pressure properly. As a result, the change in air pressure is felt in the ears.
• Earwax—Wax is normally soft, but it can harden and cause a blockage in the ear.
• Acoustic neuroma—Acoustic neuroma 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 Isn’t An Ear Infection?

Unlike a typical clogged ear, ear infections can be painful and can result in other health complications when not treated quickly.

We’ve listed the common symptoms of an ear infection 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

If you are tired of your ear being clogged or believe you have an ear infection, our AFC Urgent Care Boulder team can help! Visit us today.