That plugged, underwater feeling in your ears is one of the most frustrating symptoms of a common cold. You might experience muffled hearing, a popping or crackling sensation, or even mild pain.

When you have a cold, these tubes swell with mucus and inflammation. They can’t open properly, trapping fluid and air inside the middle ear. This creates a feeling of pressure and blockage—much like being on an airplane. Do not use cotton swabs, ear candles, or try to irrigate your ears. The blockage is behind your eardrum, not in your ear canal. Poking inside only risks injury or infection.

The good news? The clog is rarely permanent. Here’s why it happens and how to fix it safely. Your ears are connected to the back of your throat by tiny passages called Eustachian tubes . Their job is to drain fluid and equalize air pressure.