{"id":629568,"date":"2024-09-04T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629568"},"modified":"2025-09-12T18:40:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T22:40:37","slug":"how-to-relieve-sinus-pressure-in-ears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-relieve-sinus-pressure-in-ears\/","title":{"rendered":"How to relieve sinus pressure in your ears"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anyone who has ever woken up with a stuffy or <\/span>runny nose<\/span> has gone through the same thought process before getting up and reaching for a tissue: First, they hope it\u2019s just the <\/span>common cold<\/span> or allergies. And second, they hope it\u2019s not a <\/span>sinus infection<\/span><\/a>. Why? Unlike colds, which are caused by a virus and can be pesky but work themselves out in a day or two, <\/span>sinus infections<\/span> are bacterial and often stick around for ten days or more and come with symptoms like <\/span>nasal congestion<\/span>, <\/span>postnasal drip<\/span>, facial pain, a <\/span>sore throat<\/span>, and in some cases, pain and pressure in the <\/span>ear canals<\/span> that can lead to <\/span>tinnitus<\/span>, and temporary <\/span>hearing loss<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ear or <\/span>sinus pressure<\/span> typically occurs when the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span>, the pathway connecting the sinuses to the ears, becomes inflamed or irritated, preventing it from functioning properly (a condition known as <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> dysfunction, or ETD). \u201cThis feels like the ears are plugged, a popping or cracking sensation, muffled sounds and\/or ringing in your ears,\u201d explains otolaryngologist and sinus surgeon <\/span>Boris Karanfilov, MD<\/span><\/a>, founder of Ohio Sinus Institute in Dublin, Ohio. \u201cSometimes these symptoms also present with pain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>sinus infection<\/span> can also cause <\/span>fluid<\/span><\/a> to be trapped behind the <\/span>eardrum<\/span>, causing a <\/span>blockage<\/span> where bacteria and viruses grow, potentially leading to an <\/span>inner ear infection<\/span> (<\/span>otitis<\/span> media). The good news: There are simple strategies that can <\/span>relieve <\/span>sinus pressure<\/span><\/a> in the ears, including <\/span>decongestants<\/span>, <\/span>antihistamines<\/span>, <\/span>nasal irrigation<\/span>, <\/span>pain medications<\/span>, and <\/span>steroids<\/span>, physically unclogging your ears, and minimally invasive in-office procedures with a specialist. Read on to discover how to relieve <\/span>sinus congestion<\/span> in your ears, plus how long it can last and how to prevent it.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 ways to relieve <\/span>sinus pressure<\/span> in the ears<\/span><\/h2>\n

If <\/span>sinus pressure<\/span> is causing ETD and leading to discomfort and pressure in the ears, there are ways to relieve it. Here are seven expert-recommended strategies to combat <\/span>sinus issues<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. <\/span>Over-the-counter decongestants<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201c<\/span>Decongestants<\/span> such as Sudafed (<\/span>pseudoephedrine<\/span><\/a>) or other various <\/span>nasal sprays<\/span> work to decrease inflammation in the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span>, thus allowing the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> to function properly,\u201d explains Dr. Karanfilov. \u201cThey work by decreasing <\/span>ear pressure<\/span> fluctuations in the <\/span>middle ear<\/span>.\u201d In addition to Sudafed, <\/span>nasal decongestant<\/span> sprays like <\/span>Afrin <\/span><\/a>(oxymetazoline) and NeoSynephrine (phenylephrine nasal) may also be helpful to help <\/span>fluid buildup<\/span> drain from <\/span>clogged ears<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. <\/span>Allergy medications<\/span><\/h3>\n

Allergy medicines<\/span><\/a>, such as oral <\/span>antihistamines<\/span> (<\/span>Zyrtec<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Claritin<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>Allegra)<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>nasal sprays<\/span> (<\/span>Flonase<\/span><\/a>), can help relieve <\/span>sinus pressure<\/span> caused by allergies. Though these medications target allergies, they can also alleviate congestion from sinusitis. These medications often take a few days to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. <\/span>Nasal irrigation<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201c<\/span>Nasal irrigation<\/span> is helpful in keeping the inflammation of the sinuses and the region of the opening of the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> under control,\u201d says<\/span> Kashif Mazhar, MD<\/span><\/a>, an otolaryngologist and founder and CEO of <\/span>ExcelENT Medical<\/span><\/a>. \u201cHence it is recommended as a treatment modality for patients with chronic sinusitis and for patients with ETD.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Also known as sinus rinsing, <\/span>nasal irrigation<\/span> is the practice of flushing your <\/span>nasal cavity<\/span> with a <\/span>saline solution<\/span><\/a>, using either a <\/span>neti pot<\/span>, squeeze bottle, or other <\/span>sinus rinse kit<\/span><\/a> to pour or push the solution into one nostril and let it flow out the other. \u201c<\/span>Nasal irrigations<\/span> are effective in reducing <\/span>irritants<\/span> such as <\/span>allergens<\/span>, viruses, or bacteria that can lead to <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> swelling,\u201d adds Dr. Karanfilov. \u201cLimiting these <\/span>irritants<\/span> provides the best environment for the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> to function normally.\u201d The sinus rinse helps push allergens and nasal mucus out of the sinus passages to alleviate the cause of congestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. <\/span>Over-the-counter<\/span> pain medications<\/span><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>pain medications<\/span> you have in your medicine cabinet can be helpful when dealing with <\/span>ear congestion<\/span> caused by <\/span>sinus pressure<\/span> in the ears. \u201cPain medicine, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a> or Advil, will help with <\/span>ear pain<\/span> and pressure because they have an anti-inflammatory property as well,\u201d says Dr. Mazhar.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using an NSAID helps reduce the inflammation near the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span>, normalizing the pressure in the middle ear and eliminating pain. <\/span>Acetaminophen<\/span><\/a> can also help relieve <\/span>earaches<\/span> and <\/span>sinus pain<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: If you find that an <\/span>OTC<\/span> pain reliever<\/span> is helping, try massaging around your ears as well. If that is effective at minimizing pain, the source may be a temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder rather than <\/span>sinus pressure<\/span>. \u201cA lot of times, TMJ discomfort can mimic ETD problems,\u201d says Dr. Karanfilov. \u201cUsing <\/span>OTC<\/span> pain relievers<\/span> can sometimes help both conditions, and this is why it is important to see your ENT specialist, who can run a special test called a tympanogram that will check the pressure in the <\/span>middle ear<\/span>. This will help determine the source of the pain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

5. <\/span>Steroids<\/span><\/h3>\n

If the <\/span>sinus pressure<\/span> in your ears is particularly uncomfortable, prescription <\/span>steroids<\/span> can be an effective strategy. \u201cYour ENT or your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> may prescribe you a short course of oral <\/span>prednisone<\/span><\/a> that will reduce the inflammation quickly and can reduce the <\/span>ear pressure<\/span> and <\/span>ear pain<\/span>,\u201d Dr. Mazhar says.<\/span><\/p>\n

While <\/span>corticosteroids<\/span><\/a> have been proven to be an <\/span>effective short-term treatment<\/span><\/a> for acute sinusitis and, therefore, will likely help with associated ETD and <\/span>ear pain<\/span> as well, they do come with a host of <\/span>potential side effects<\/span><\/a>, including suppressing the <\/span>immune system<\/span>. Patients on corticosteroids can also become moody, have an insatiable urge to eat, and experience insomnia. You may want to weigh these risks against the severity of your symptoms before choosing this treatment path.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Valsalva maneuvers<\/span><\/h3>\n

Have you ever tried to \u201cpop\u201d your ears by holding your nose and forcing air out your closed nostrils? Then you\u2019ve performed a Valsalva maneuver, which can equalize pressure in the <\/span>middle ear<\/span> and reduce pain and discomfort. If inflammation is forcing the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> closed, the Valsalva maneuver can push air through it to open it up and normalize the pressure again, says Dr. Karanfilov.<\/span><\/p>\n

To try it<\/span><\/a>: Sit or lie down. Take a large breath in, then, while pinching your nose closed and shutting your mouth, push that breath out against your nose and mouth for 15 to 20 seconds. Open your nose and mouth and breathe out. This is not harmful to the eardrum.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. <\/span>Eustachian tube<\/span> balloon dilation<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cThere are some minimally invasive office-based surgical procedures like <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> balloon dilation<\/span><\/a> that have been shown to have the best and longest-acting beneficial effect,\u201d explains Dr. Mazhar. In this procedure, which can be performed under local anesthesia, an endoscope with a tiny balloon is inserted into the nose until it reaches the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> at the back. The balloon is then inflated to open the <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span>, similar to the way a stent opens an artery. \u201cThis is covered by Medicare and some, but not all, commercial insurance companies,\u201d adds Dr. Karanfilov, who helped develop the technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

It has also been shown to be highly effective. In one study published in <\/span>The Journal of International Advanced Otology<\/span><\/i>, people with chronic ETD for whom nasal <\/span>steroid<\/span> sprays and Valsalva maneuvers weren\u2019t working underwent the procedure. Of those who had <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> balloon dilation, <\/span>69% experienced an immediate improvement<\/span><\/a> in their ETD, and the improvement persisted six months after the procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does <\/span>ear pressure<\/span> from sinusitis last?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/span>Ear pressure<\/span> is not a typical symptom of <\/span>sinus infection<\/span>, but we see it in conjunction with <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> dysfunction and chronic sinusitis or <\/span>sinus infection<\/span>,\u201d explains Dr. Mazhar. \u201cDuring an episode of <\/span>sinus infection<\/span> or an exacerbation of chronic sinusitis, the ETD can become worse. And this can lead to <\/span>ear pressure<\/span> and <\/span>ear pain<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, it\u2019s not uncommon for these two issues to coincide, especially in people with chronic <\/span>sinus infections<\/span>. \u201cMultiple studies have shown that about 60 to 70% of patients with chronic sinusitis will also have <\/span>eustachian tube<\/span> dysfunction and symptoms of <\/span>ear pressure<\/span> and <\/span>ear pain<\/span>,\u201d Dr. Mazhar says. When these two issues are happening concurrently, the <\/span>ear pressure<\/span> and pain will likely last as long as the symptoms of the <\/span>sinus infection<\/span> do, which is typically <\/span>7 to 10 days<\/span><\/a> in acute cases or 12 weeks or more in chronic cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to prevent sinusitis and <\/span>ear pressure<\/span><\/h2>\n

While <\/span>sinus infections<\/span> do not always cause <\/span>ear pressure<\/span> and pain, the presence of the virus can lead to inflammation in the area of the nose, sinuses, and ears, increasing the likelihood of ETD occurring at the same time. If you are taking <\/span>steps to avoid catching a <\/span>sinus infection<\/span><\/a>, such as those below, you are less likely to develop ETD as well:<\/span><\/p>\n