Pressure on the ears: what helps against the feeling of fullness?

Pressure on the ears feels like cotton wool in the head: the ears seem blocked, sounds seem muffled and sometimes a slight rushing or a clicking is added. Usually a pressure difference between the middle ear and the surroundings is behind it, for example after a cold, on a plane or when diving. What helps against pressure on the ears depends on the cause: often simple techniques suffice to equalise the pressure via the so-called auditory tube; in other cases it takes patience until a subsiding cold releases the ventilation again. In this guide you will learn what lies behind the ear pressure, when you should seek medical advice and which building blocks from everyday life, diet and nutrients can support you.

What lies behind the pressure on the ears?

For a healthy sense of hearing, the same pressure must prevail in the middle ear as in the surrounding air. The auditory tube (Eustachian tube) ensures this, a fine canal that connects the middle ear with the throat. When swallowing or yawning it opens briefly and equalises the pressure. If this canal is swollen or blocked, for example by a cold, the pressure builds up and the typical feeling of fullness arises.

Further common triggers are rapid changes in altitude when flying or driving in the mountains, water in the ear after bathing or a plug of earwax that blocks the ear canal. Allergies and dry mucous membranes can also disturb the ventilation. In most cases the pressure is temporary and harmless and disappears as soon as the auditory tube works freely again or the underlying cold subsides.

One distinguishes roughly two levels: a pressure in the middle ear that is controlled via the auditory tube, and a feeling of blockage in the outer ear canal, for example from earwax or water. Both feel similar, but have different causes and solutions. In children the auditory tube is moreover shorter and flatter, which is why it is more easily blocked and pressure on the ears is particularly common there. Anyone who knows the trigger can counteract it more specifically – the pressure after flying calls for different measures than an earwax plug or a stubborn cold.

When you should seek medical advice

Usually ear pressure is no cause for concern. In some situations, however, a medical evaluation is sensible: if the pressure persists longer than one to two weeks, is accompanied by strong pain, fever or discharge from the ear, goes along with a sudden hearing loss or persistent ear noise, or if dizziness is added. Recurring pressure without a recognisable cause also belongs in examination. A sudden, one-sided hearing loss should be clarified promptly. This guide does not replace medical advice – with persistent or unclear complaints turn to your doctor, ideally in ear, nose and throat medicine.

What helps in everyday life

For pressure equalisation there are some proven techniques that gently open the auditory tube. It is important to proceed cautiously and to force nothing:

• Swallow or yawn consciously and often, especially at take-off and landing on a plane.
• Chew gum or suck a sweet to stimulate the swallowing movement.
• The Valsalva manoeuvre: hold the nose, close the mouth and very gently press air into the nose – never with force.
• Place warm compresses on the ear to promote blood flow.
• Drink enough and do not keep the room air too dry, so that the mucous membranes stay supple.

With a cold, decongesting inhalation with water vapour can calm the nasal and throat mucous membranes and thus indirectly ease the ventilation of the ears. Water in the ear can usually be moved out by tilting the head and lightly pulling on the earlobe. Cotton buds in the ear canal are generally to be advised against, as they can push earwax inward.

Especially when flying, forward-looking action pays off: anyone who is already suffering from a cold can consciously and regularly practise the pressure equalisation already during descent and ascent, instead of waiting until the pressure becomes noticeable. For infants and small children it helps to let them drink or suckle at take-off and landing, since here too the swallowing movement opens the auditory tube. Important in all cases is to keep patience and not to apply any jerky, forceful manoeuvres that could harm the eardrum.

Diet for clear mucous membranes

A balanced diet supports healthy mucous membranes in the nose-throat area, which are decisive for the ventilation of the ears. Plenty of fluid keeps the mucus thin and mobile. Colourful vegetables and fruit provide vitamin C and secondary plant substances, for example peppers, berries and citrus fruits. Yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots and pumpkin contribute beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. Wholegrain products, nuts and pulses round off the picture with zinc and further minerals. Warm soups and teas are often felt to be soothing in the case of a cold. Anyone prone to allergies additionally pays attention in the pollen season to a mucous-membrane-friendly, relieving routine, since allergy-related swelling can also block the auditory tube. A steady, nutrient-rich diet over the day is more sensible here than single miracle remedies: only the interplay of fluid, vitamins, minerals and a healthy lifestyle creates good conditions for resilient mucous membranes.

Nutrients and plants in focus

For mucous membranes and the immune defence, some nutrients are linked with recognised EU statements. Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Zinc likewise contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system. These functions concern the organism as a whole and no single complaint at the ear.

In the plant world various herbs have long been used for cold complaints. Thyme, ivy, eucalyptus and peppermint are traditionally used and are found in many preparations for the airways. Such plant substances can be a building block, but are no substitute for the techniques for pressure equalisation or for a medical evaluation if the pressure persists.

It is important to keep expectations realistic: nutrients and plants act on the general mucous membrane health and the defence, not on the acute mechanical pressure. A blocked auditory tube or an earwax plug cannot be dissolved with them. They can, however, be part of an overall mucous-membrane-friendly way of life with enough fluid, healthy diet and not smoking, which improves the conditions for good ventilation of the ears.

Honestly considered: limits and expectations

As bothersome as pressure on the ears is – no food and no nutrient opens a blocked auditory tube at the push of a button. The decisive lever remains the cautious pressure equalisation and, with a cold, the time until the mucous membranes decongest again. Anyone prone to ear pressure can also prevent a lot: attend in good time to good mucous membrane care, provide some humidity in dry rooms, refrain from smoking and practise the pressure equalisation early and regularly when flying. Nutrients and plants can accompany healthy mucous membranes and the defence in a supporting way, but replace neither the right technique nor, with persistent complaints, the visit to the ENT practice. Anyone who is affected again and again should have the cause clarified individually, instead of relying permanently on single home remedies. Sometimes an easily remediable cause such as an earwax plug is behind it, sometimes a recurring ventilation disorder that can be treated in a targeted way. In both cases an expert examination brings more clarity than long experimenting on one's own.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why do I have pressure on the ears after a cold?

With a cold the mucous membranes in the nose-throat area swell and block the auditory tube. As a result the middle ear is ventilated more poorly and a feeling of pressure arises. Usually the pressure disappears as soon as the cold subsides and the mucous membranes decongest again.

How do I get rid of pressure on the ears quickly?

Frequent swallowing, yawning, chewing gum or a very gentle Valsalva manoeuvre can open the auditory tube and equalise the pressure. Warm compresses and drinking enough provide additional support. It is important to force nothing with strength.

Is pressure on the ears dangerous?

Usually it is harmless and temporary. If the pressure persists longer than one to two weeks or strong pain, fever, discharge, dizziness or a sudden hearing loss are added, you should have that clarified medically.

May I use a cotton bud with ear pressure?

That is to be advised against. Cotton buds tend to push earwax deeper into the ear canal and can irritate the skin or injure the eardrum. If a plug is present, it should be removed properly in the ENT practice.

Do nutrients help against pressure on the ears?

Nutrients such as vitamin A, C, D and zinc are linked with recognised functions for mucous membranes and the immune system. They can supplement a balanced diet, but do not open a blocked auditory tube and do not replace the techniques for pressure equalisation.