How to Unblock Your Ears From a Cold: Safe Steps and When to Get Help
How to Unblock Your Ears From a Cold: Safe Steps and When to Get Help
The safest way to unblock your ears from a cold is to start gently: swallow, yawn, sip a drink and ease the cold itself, and never push hard or put anything in the ear. Most cold-related blocked ears settle on their own as the cold clears.
Why do your ears feel blocked when you have a cold?
Your ears feel blocked with a cold because a small tube that balances pressure behind the eardrum swells shut. That tube (the Eustachian tube) runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat, and a cold can inflame it and fill it with mucus.
When the tube cannot open, pressure behind the eardrum is not balanced. Sounds can seem dull or muffled, and the ear may feel full or "underwater". You may hear a few pops or crackles as it tries to open.
Good to know: this is a different problem from earwax. A cold-related block sits behind the eardrum, so wax removal methods will not reach it.
Gentle steps to try first
Gentle, low-effort steps are the best place to start because they work with the way the tube naturally opens. Try them one at a time and stop if anything hurts.
What about "popping" your ears by blowing?
Blowing gently against a pinched nose is the method most people know, but gentle is the key word. If it does not work with a light try, stop. Do not do it if you have ear pain or a heavy cold, as forceful blowing can put pressure on the eardrum.
What to avoid when your ears are blocked
The most important thing to avoid is putting anything into the ear. Cotton buds, hairpins and similar objects can push material further in or injure the ear canal.
When to ask a GP or pharmacist
You should ask a GP if blocked ears come with warning signs or do not settle. A pharmacist is a good first call for questions about cold remedies and whether something is safe for you.
Speak to a GP promptly if you have: ear pain with a high temperature, fluid or discharge from the ear, dizziness, a sudden change in hearing in one ear, or a blocked feeling that lasts more than about three weeks. If symptoms are severe or you are worried, use urgent care.
| What you notice | Sensible next step |
|---|---|
| Muffled or full ears during a cold, no pain | Gentle steps above and give it a few days |
| Still blocked after the cold has gone | Ask a pharmacist, then a GP if it continues |
| Ear pain, temperature, discharge or dizziness | See a GP promptly |
| Sudden hearing change in one ear | Get medical advice quickly |
Your GP surgery or local pharmacist can advise you on your own situation.
Blocked ears and amplifiers: what to do in the meantime
If you already use a personal sound amplifier, it is usually best to leave it out while your ear is blocked, sore or producing fluid. An amplifier makes sound louder, but it cannot clear a blockage, and a full, tender ear is rarely comfortable with something sitting in it.
Put it back when the ear feels normal again. If you find it uncomfortable afterwards, our in-ear fit guide covers how to refit it, and our conductive hearing guide explains why a blocked ear is the wrong job for an amplifier.
When everyday listening still feels harder
If the cold has gone and conversation, the television or busy rooms still feel harder than you would like, a personal sound amplifier may offer clearer everyday listening for mild to moderate situations. It is not a hearing aid and does not treat any condition, and a lasting change in your hearing is worth raising with a GP.
You can browse our hearing amplifiers, visit our online hearing test page, or manage an existing order in your account. We offer a returns policy so you can try with confidence; check the current terms on the product page.
Frequently asked questions
The safest first steps are gentle: swallow, yawn, chew or sip a drink so the tiny tube between your throat and middle ear can open. Steam and treating the cold itself may also help. Avoid pushing hard, using cotton buds or putting anything in the ear.
Blocked ears from a cold often ease as the cold clears, over days to a couple of weeks. If the blocked feeling lasts longer than about three weeks, or comes with pain, dizziness or discharge, speak to a GP rather than waiting.
Only very gently, and not at all if you have ear pain, a heavy cold or an infection. Blowing hard can push mucus further along or put pressure on the eardrum. If a gentle try does not work, stop and try swallowing or steam instead.
It is usually better to leave an in-ear device out while your ear is blocked, sore or producing fluid, and to wait until it feels comfortable again. An amplifier makes sound louder but does not clear a blockage, so it is not the right tool for this.
With a cold, the blockage is often in the middle ear behind the eardrum, where the pressure-balancing tube has swollen. That is a different cause from earwax, so ear drops do not usually help and should not be used if you have pain or suspect a perforated eardrum.
It can be uncomfortable because pressure changes are harder to balance when the tube is swollen. Swallowing, sipping and yawning during take-off and landing help, and a pharmacist can advise on options. If you have ear pain or a very heavy cold, ask a GP or pharmacist before flying.
Usually not. Ear drops are mainly for earwax, and a cold-related block sits behind the eardrum where drops do not reach. Never use drops if you have ear pain, discharge or think the eardrum may be damaged. Ask a pharmacist first.
See a GP if there is ear pain with a high temperature, discharge, dizziness, a sudden change in hearing in one ear, or if the blocked feeling lasts more than about three weeks. In an emergency or if symptoms are severe, use urgent care.
If everyday conversation still feels harder after the cold has fully gone, a personal sound amplifier may offer clearer everyday listening for mild to moderate situations. It is not a hearing aid and does not treat any condition, so a persistent change in hearing is worth raising with a GP.
Clearer everyday listening, when you are ready
If your ears are comfortable but sound still feels a little harder work, see how a personal sound amplifier could fit your day.
Shop hearing amplifiersVisit the online hearing test pageThis guide is general information, not medical advice. JD Health Tech sells personal sound amplifiers, which are not hearing aids or medical devices. If you are worried about your ears or hearing, speak to a GP.
