Unplugging Ears From A Cold May 2026

That stuffy, underwater feeling in your ears is a classic cold symptom. It happens because the Eustachian tube—the narrow passage connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat—gets swollen shut by mucus and inflammation. This prevents air pressure from equalizing.

Most cold-related ear plugging resolves in a few days to a week as your congestion clears. Patience and gentle mucus thinning are your best tools. If it hurts, stop what you're doing and see a doctor. unplugging ears from a cold