How To Relieve Ear Pressure: Treatment And When To See A Doctor

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Medical News TodaySubscribeHow to relieve ear pressure

Medically reviewed by Skye D. Quamina, Au.D., CCC-A — Written by Anna Smith Haghighi — Updated on June 23, 2025

Sinus congestion
Ear infections
Change in altitude
Meniere's disease
Cholesteatoma
Acoustic neuroma
TMJ damage
Seeing a doctor
Summary

Ear pressure is the sensation of fullness or stuffiness within the ear. Ways of relieving it include chewing gum, using ear drops, and treating any underlying conditions, such as sinus congestion.

Ear pressure can occur when the eustachian tube, a thin tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose, becomes blocked or stops functioning correctly.

This tube helps balance air pressure on both sides of the eardrum and clear out secretions from the ear. The eustachian tube opens when a person chews, swallows, or yawns, preventing air pressure from building up inside the ear.

Children are more likely to experience ear pressure due to having smaller eustachian tubes. Pressure changes, such as those from flying or diving, can also cause ear pressure.

This article explains why ear pressure occurs, what causes it, and how a person can relieve it.

Sinus congestion

A person holding the bridge of their nose, their sinuses — PeopleImages/Getty Images

The sinuses are a network of hollow cavities inside the skull. Their primary function is to produce mucus, which helps moisturize the nasal passages and trap pathogens.

Sinus congestion is the medical term for an accumulation of mucus in the sinuses. Some potential symptoms include:

ear pressure or earache
a blocked nose
postnasal drip, wherein mucus runs down the back of the throat
green or yellow nasal mucus
a reduced sense of smell
pain, swelling, or tenderness around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead
headache
toothache
bad breath

A person may develop sinus congestion as a result of the following:

viral infections, such as the common cold or flu
sinus infections
allergies

Treatment

Treatments for sinus congestion include:

inhaling steam
using saline nasal washes
trying decongestant nasal sprays
using topical nasal corticosteroids
applying a warm compress to the nose and forehead
taking antihistamines for allergies
taking antibiotics for bacterial sinus infections
undergoing surgery for chronic sinus congestion

Ear infections

Certain infections of the ear can cause ear pressure.

A middle ear infection, or otitis media, is an infection behind the eardrum. The condition causes fluid to build up behind the eardrum, and this can result in ear pressure. Some potential symptoms of a middle ear infection include:

ear pain
fluid draining from the ear
a feeling of fullness in the ear
fever
hearing loss

Although anyone can get a middle ear infection, it is more common in infants. Some treatment options for a middle ear infection include:

taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
trying medicated ear drops
asking a doctor about antibiotics in severe cases

Change in altitude

Rapid changes in altitude and pressure can block the eustachian tube. As a result, the tube cannot equalize pressure inside the middle ear with pressure outside the body.

The difference in pressure causes a vacuum that stretches out the eardrum. This may lead to the following symptoms:

ear pressure
ear pain
a buildup of fluid in the ear
temporary hearing loss
dizziness

Changes in altitude can occur during several activities, including:

traveling by air
using an elevator
scuba diving
driving up and down mountains

Treatment

Some potential treatment options for ear pressure caused by changes in altitude include:

yawning
swallowing
pinching the nose and blowing gently, then swallowing
chewing gum
sucking a hard candy
using decongestants

Meniere’s disease

Meniere’s disease involves a buildup of fluid in the inner ear. The condition typically affects only one ear, but it can sometimes affect both. The exact cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown. However, allergies and autoimmune conditions may increase a person’s risk of developing it.

Some potential symptoms of Meniere’s disease include:

dizziness or vertigo
tinnitus
low-frequency hearing loss
a sensation of fullness in the affected ear or ears

Treatment

There is currently no cure for Meniere’s disease. Instead, treatments focus on controlling dizziness and vertigo. Treatment may include:

following a diet that is low in salt
limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
taking a water pill, or diuretic
taking anti-vertigo medication to help stop acute flares
receiving medicated injections into the eardrum
undergoing surgery

Cholesteatoma

A cholesteatoma is a growth or cyst that becomes trapped behind the eardrum or by the bone behind the ear. Cholesteatomas begin as a buildup of earwax and skin debris and most often develop due to poor ventilation in the middle ear.

Cholesteatomas can cause the following symptoms:

earache or pain
a feeling of fullness in the ear
foul-smelling ear drainage
hearing loss
recurring ear infections
dizziness
facial muscle weakness on the side of the affected ear

Treatment

Treatment of a cholesteatoma will generally involve the surgical removal of the growth or cyst.

Acoustic neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a benign, slow-growing tumor that develops in the inner ear. It develops on nerves that control hearing and balance. Symptoms of an acoustic neuroma can include:

one sided hearing loss
tinnitus
loss of balance
dizziness
facial numbness
facial weakness or paralysis

Treatment

A doctor treats an acoustic neuroma using surgery or radiation therapy.

Temporomandibular joint damage

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects the side of the skull to the lower jaw. If the TMJ sustains any damage, it can cause significant pain.

TMJ pain may occur in the:

ears
temples
cheeks
muscles of the lower jaw
teeth

Other potential symptoms associated with TMJ damage include:

jaw clicking or popping
jaw locking
difficulty opening the mouth fully
frequent headaches or neck aches
tinnitus

Treatment

Some potential treatment options for TMJ pain include:

eating soft foods
not chewing gum
not clenching the teeth
wearing a mouthguard at night
applying a warm compress to the jaw to relax the muscles
taking muscle relaxants
practicing stress reduction techniques
applying an ice pack to the jaw to reduce inflammation
taking anti-inflammatory drugs

When to see a doctor

A person who has ear pressure should see a doctor if they experience any of the following:

persistent pain
no improvement in symptoms despite home treatment
hearing loss
facial weakness
bleeding from the ear
dizziness
an inability to “pop” the ears
an inability to remove a foreign object from the ear

Summary

Ear pressure can result from sinus congestion, infections, or TMJ damage, among other conditions. It can also be caused by situational factors, such as changes in altitude or a foreign body stuck inside the ear.

Some causes of ear pressure are treatable using OTC medications and home remedies such as ear drops and syringe kits. Others may require specialist treatment from a doctor or surgeon.

If a person experiences persistent ear pressure, especially if it occurs alongside other troubling symptoms, they should see a doctor. A doctor will work to diagnose the cause of the symptoms and provide appropriate treatments.

Ear, Nose, and Throat
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Pain / Anesthetics

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Ears. (n.d.).https://www.enthealth.org/ears-landing-page/
Ear infections in children. (2022).https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ear-infections-children
Eustachian tube dysfunction. (2023).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555908/
Sinus infection. (n.d.).https://acaai.org/allergies/types/sinus-infection

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Medically reviewed by Skye D. Quamina, Au.D., CCC-A — Written by Anna Smith Haghighi — Updated on June 23, 2025

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Sinus congestion

Treatment

Ear infections

Change in altitude

Treatment

Meniere’s disease

Treatment

Cholesteatoma

Treatment

Acoustic neuroma

Treatment

Temporomandibular joint damage

Treatment

When to see a doctor

Summary

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