Have you just landed in Perth and one ear still feels as though it is packed with cotton wool? Can’t get it to pop, no matter how much you swallow, yawn or chew?
You’re probably asking yourself: “Is this earwax, cabin pressure, or something more serious?”
The short answer is that flying can cause a pressure problem called airplane ear or ear barotrauma. In some cases, existing earwax adds another layer of blockage. And when the two happen together, your ear can feel well and truly stuck.
Let’s back up a minute and look at what is actually happening.
Why do ears block during a flight?
Inside your head, the middle ear sits behind the eardrum. It connects to the back of your nose and throat through a narrow passage called the Eustachian tube.
This tube helps equalise air pressure on both sides of your eardrum. Normally, it opens when you swallow, yawn or chew.
The trouble starts when cabin pressure changes faster than your Eustachian tube can respond, particularly during descent and landing. Pressure on one side of the eardrum becomes different from the other side, which can make the eardrum feel stretched or pulled.
That may cause:
- A blocked or full sensation
- Muffled hearing
- Popping or clicking
- Earache or discomfort
- Ringing in the ear
- Occasionally, dizziness
According to MedlinePlus, swallowing and yawning help open the Eustachian tube and equalise pressure. Cleveland Clinic also explains that congestion from a cold or allergies can make airplane ear more likely because the tube may already be inflamed or partially blocked.
Why can a blocked ear after flying last for days?
For many passengers, the pressure settles soon after landing. But not everyone’s ears bounce back straight away.
Your ear may stay blocked for several days if:
- You flew with a cold, sinus congestion or allergies
- Your Eustachian tubes are naturally narrow or slow to open
- You slept through take-off or landing
- You experienced repeated pressure changes during connecting flights
- The eardrum became irritated by the pressure imbalance
- Existing earwax is also blocking the ear canal
In other words, the pressure may have improved, but your ear may still feel muffled while inflammation settles.
A blocked ear after flying is not automatically caused by earwax. This is important. Microsuction can remove wax from the outer ear canal, but it does not treat pressure trapped behind the eardrum.
That is why an examination matters.
Can earwax make post-flight blockage feel worse?
Yes, but usually indirectly.
Earwax sits in the ear canal, in front of the eardrum. Airplane ear involves pressure changes in the middle ear, behind the eardrum. They are different areas, but the symptoms can feel remarkably similar.
Imagine you already have a partial wax blockage. After your flight, the pressure change causes additional fullness. The result may be:
- Hearing that suddenly seems much duller
- One ear feeling significantly worse than the other
- A sensation of water trapped in the ear
- Difficulty hearing conversations or television
- Pressure that does not improve after landing
The flight probably did not create the wax. Rather, it may have made an existing blockage more noticeable.
At Ear Suction Clinic, we examine the ear before deciding whether wax removal is appropriate. If there is no wax, or if your symptoms suggest barotrauma, infection or another issue, we recommend seeking medical assessment rather than treating the wrong problem.
What can I do during the flight to stop my ears blocking?
There are a few simple techniques that can help, especially during take-off and descent.
Try these practical tips
- Swallow regularly, particularly as the plane begins to descend.
- Yawn deliberately, even if you are not tired.
- Chew gum or suck a lolly to encourage repeated swallowing.
- Sip water throughout take-off and landing.
- Stay awake during descent so you can respond to pressure changes.
- If you are congested, ask a pharmacist or doctor whether a suitable decongestant is appropriate for you.
- Consider pressure-regulating flight earplugs if you regularly experience airplane ear.
You can also try a gentle Valsalva manoeuvre:
- Close your mouth.
- Pinch your nostrils shut.
- Breathe out very gently, as though trying to blow up a balloon.
- Stop as soon as you feel a mild click or release.
Do not force it. Blowing hard can increase pain and, in rare cases, damage the eardrum. Stop immediately if you feel sharp pain, dizziness or worsening symptoms.
A gentler alternative is the Toynbee manoeuvre: pinch your nostrils and swallow. This uses swallowing rather than forceful blowing to encourage the Eustachian tubes to open.
Why you should avoid cotton buds after flying
When your ear feels blocked, reaching for a cotton bud can seem like the obvious next step.
I hear you ask: “If I just clean it out, won’t it clear?”
Unfortunately, cotton buds cannot fix pressure behind the eardrum. They may also:
- Push earwax deeper into the canal
- Compact a partial blockage
- Scratch the sensitive skin of the ear canal
- Cause bleeding or irritation
- Damage the eardrum if inserted too far
Nothing should be pushed into the ear canal, not cotton buds, hairpins, keys or pen lids.
The same applies to trying to flush your ears at home. Ear syringing or irrigation may be unsuitable if you have a perforated eardrum, an ear infection, previous ear surgery or pressure-related injury. After a flight, you may not know what is causing the blockage, so flushing the ear can be a risky punt.
Is microsuction suitable for a blocked ear after flying?
It can be, if earwax is contributing to the blockage and the eardrum is suitable for treatment.
Microsuction uses gentle suction under direct vision to remove wax and debris from the ear canal. Unlike cotton buds or home irrigation, the clinician can see what they are doing and assess the ear first.
At Ear Suction Clinic, our process includes:
- A health and ear history
- Examination of the ear canal and eardrum
- Wax softening where needed
- Microsuction removal under direct vision
- Additional techniques if clinically appropriate
- Personalised aftercare advice
Appointments are often completed in around 15–20 minutes, although timing depends on the amount and firmness of wax and whether both ears need treatment.
We have helped more than 10,000 happy patients, over 20,000 ears, and offer same-day and urgent appointments when available. You do not need a GP referral to book with us, but if you are unsure whether wax is the problem, our booking guidance recommends seeing your GP first.
When should I seek medical help?
Most mild airplane ear symptoms improve with time and gentle pressure-equalising techniques. However, do not simply wait it out if you have concerning symptoms.
Seek prompt medical advice if you notice:
- Severe or worsening ear pain
- Sudden or marked hearing loss
- Significant dizziness or vertigo
- Persistent, intense ringing
- Fluid, pus or blood from the ear
- Symptoms that continue without improvement for several days
- Repeated blockage every time you fly
Fluid or blood from the ear, sudden hearing loss or severe vertigo should be treated as urgent medical concerns. Contact a doctor or urgent care service rather than booking routine wax removal.
If your main symptom is persistent muffled hearing and you have a history of wax build-up, a professional examination can help determine whether wax is part of the problem.
Just landed in Perth with a blocked ear?
A blocked ear after flying is often caused by pressure changes, but earwax can make the muffled feeling worse. The safest approach is to avoid cotton buds, do not forcefully blow your ears and do not syringe them at home.
Try gentle swallowing and yawning first. If the blockage persists, or you suspect impacted wax, contact Ear Suction Clinic for professional advice.
We are Perth’s 5-star rated microsuction earwax removal clinic, with same-day and urgent appointments available when possible. If wax is confirmed as the cause, book an urgent ear wax removal appointment and let our trained clinicians help you get back to hearing clearly.
Safe travels, and if your ears will not pop, please do not put the whole kitchen sink in there. 🙂
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Ear blocked at high altitudes
- Cleveland Clinic: Ear Barotrauma (Airplane Ear)
- Ear Suction Clinic: Microsuction Ear Wax Removal Perth
- Ear Suction Clinic: Book Now and Urgent Appointments
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