Does your hearing feel like you are 'underwater' or blocked? This could be the cause.

Blocked Ears? Here’s What You Need to Know About Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)

If your ears feel stuffy, muffled, or kind of “off,” it might be something called Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, or ETD. It’s a common cause of that weird “underwater” feeling, and the good news is—you don’t have to just put up with it.

What’s Going On Inside Your Ear?

There’s a tiny tube that connects your middle ear to the back of your throat. When it works right, you don’t even notice it. But if it’s not working properly, you might get:

• Pressure or fullness in your ear

• Muffled or distant sounds

• Popping or clicking noises

• Pain, especially when going up or down in altitude

• Maybe some dizziness

Sound familiar? Don’t worry—many people deal with this.

What Can Cause Blocked Ears?

A few usual suspects:

• Allergies

• Sinus infections

• Colds or flu

• Changes in air pressure (like flying or driving in hills)

• Smoke or pollution

• Even acid reflux

If your ears feel blocked and simple cleaning doesn’t help, ETD might be the reason.

Is It Ear Wax or ETD? Here’s a Quick Check

Symptom	Ear Wax Build-Up	ETD
Ear feels full	Yes	Yes
Sounds muffled	Yes	Yes
Gets better after cleaning	Yes	No
Ear popping/clicking	Rarely	Common
Pain with altitude change	No	Often

Simple Things You Can Try at Home

• Swallow, yawn, or chew gum—these actions help open your ears.

• Try gently blowing with your nose pinched shut (called the Valsalva manoeuvre) or swallowing with your nose pinched (Toynbee manoeuvre).

• Stay away from smoke and other irritants.

If your symptoms stick around for more than three weeks, it’s time to get a professional opinion.

How Medicure UK Clinic Can Help You

We’re right here in Liverpool, serving St Helens too. Our team offers:

• Professional ear checks to find out what’s going on

• Safe and quick ear wax removal using modern methods

• Advice for handling ETD and referrals if needed

Don’t ignore your symptoms. Left unchecked, ETD can cause longer-term problems like infections or hearing trouble.

Ready to Feel Better? Book Your Visit Today.

Helping local people get back to clear hearing is what we do every day.

• Easy online booking for Liverpool & St Helens residents

• Friendly experts ready to help

Book Your Appointment Now

Got Questions? Just Ask!

Give us a call or send a message anytime. We’re here to support you with your ear health.

Medicure UK Clinic — Your Local Ear Health Specialists in Liverpool & St Helens Clear ears are just a click away.