What Is Aural Fullness?
Aural fullness describes the feeling that your ear is blocked, stuffed, or under pressure. It often feels like your ear is clogged with water, wax, or air and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Mild to moderate ear pain or discomfort
- Hearing muffled sounds or reduced hearing clarity
- A sensation of pressure or popping inside the ear
- Ringing or buzzing sounds (tinnitus)
- Occasional dizziness or imbalance
While aural fullness can be temporary, persistent or severe symptoms should prompt consultation with a healthcare professional.
Common Causes of Aural Fullness and Ear Blockage
Understanding the root cause is essential for effective treatment. Common causes include:
- Earwax (Cerumen) Build-up: Earwax protects the ear canal but excess or impacted wax is a frequent cause of blockage and fullness, leading to muffled hearing.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD): The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, equalising ear pressure. Allergies, colds, sinus infections, or changes in altitude (such as flying or diving) can cause it to malfunction, resulting in pressure buildup and fullness. Learn more about blocked ears and Eustachian tube dysfunction on Healthify.
- Middle Ear Infections (Otitis Media): Infections can cause fluid accumulation behind the eardrum, leading to pain, fullness, and hearing loss.
- Barotrauma (Pressure-Related Ear Pain): Sudden changes in air pressure, commonly experienced during air travel or scuba diving, can cause ear discomfort and fullness due to rapid pressure shifts.
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: Problems with the jaw joint can sometimes cause ear fullness and discomfort due to its close proximity to the ear canal.
- Other Causes:
- Foreign objects in the ear
- Eustachian tube blockage from nasal polyps or swelling
- Meniere’s disease (an inner ear disorder)
- Acoustic neuroma (a rare, benign tumour)
How Is Aural Fullness Diagnosed?
Your audiologist or healthcare provider will begin with a detailed review of your medical history and symptoms. They may perform:
- Otoscopy: Visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum.
- Audiometry: Hearing tests to assess any hearing loss.
- Tympanometry: Tests middle ear function and pressure.
- Nasal examination: To check for blockages affecting the Eustachian tube.
- Imaging: Rarely, CT or MRI scans if a tumour or structural problem is suspected.
If earwax is the culprit, professional removal is typically a straightforward process. If infection or Eustachian tube dysfunction is involved, further medical treatment will be planned.
Coping Strategies and Treatment Options
Here are practical steps to relieve aural fullness and ear blockage:
At Home
- Avoid inserting objects into the ear canal (e.g., cotton swabs) — this can worsen blockage or damage the ear.
- Apply a warm compress to the affected ear to alleviate discomfort.
- Try gentle jaw exercises or yawning to help open the Eustachian tube.
- Use over-the-counter saline nasal sprays to relieve nasal congestion.
When Flying or Diving
- Perform swallowing, yawning, or the Valsalva maneuver (gently blowing with the nose pinched) to equalise ear pressure.
- Stay hydrated and avoid sleeping during rapid altitude changes.
Medical Treatments
- Earwax removal by a professional: Using microsuction or irrigation.
- Medications: Nasal steroids or decongestants for allergies or sinus issues. Antibiotics are used if an infection is present.
- Referral to specialists: If symptoms persist or worsen despite initial treatment.
When to See a Health Professional
Seek medical attention promptly if you experience:
- Severe ear pain
- Sudden or significant hearing loss
- Persistent fullness lasting more than a few days
- Discharge or bleeding from the ear
- Dizziness or balance problems
Early assessment ensures timely treatment and reduces the risk of complications.
FAQs
We frequently get asked questions about Aural Fullness and have put the following FAQs together:
The sensation typically arises when normal pressure regulation in your ear is disrupted, often due to blocked Eustachian tubes, earwax build-up, or fluid in the middle ear. This pressure imbalance leads to that “plugged up” feeling.
Usually, it’s not serious and often resolves on its own or with simple treatment. However, persistent or worsening symptoms can indicate infections, significant pressure issues, or other underlying conditions that require medical attention. Always seek professional advice for prolonged symptoms.
Yes, allergies can cause inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages and throat, which can block or impair the function of the Eustachian tube. This leads to pressure imbalance and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
To help equalise ear pressure during flights, try chewing gum, yawning frequently, or performing the Valsalva maneuver (gently blowing with your nose pinched and mouth closed). It's also advisable to avoid sleeping during takeoff or landing, when pressure changes are greatest.
When performed by a trained professional, such as an audiologist or a Resonate Navigator, using methods like microsuction or gentle irrigation, earwax removal is generally safe and effective. It's important to avoid attempting to remove wax yourself with cotton swabs or other objects, as this can push wax deeper or damage the ear.
