Ear cleaning

Blocked ear after swimming on Koh Phangan

Sea water, wax and a week of snorkelling — ears block up here more than almost anywhere. Muffled hearing that does not clear on its own usually needs someone to look inside.

What helps

Before you make it worse

Do not dig at it

Cotton buds push wax deeper and scratch the ear canal. That is how a blocked ear becomes a painful one.

Water that will not come out

Tilt your head and let it drain. If hearing is still muffled the next day, get it looked at.

Pain, discharge or fever

Those point to an ear infection, which needs a doctor rather than cleaning at home.

Flying soon?

A blocked ear is far more uncomfortable on a plane. Sort it out before you travel.

At the clinic

What the doctor does

Look inside

The doctor examines the ear canal and eardrum to see whether it is wax, trapped water or an infection.

Gentle cleaning

Safe, gentle ear cleaning by a doctor — for blocked ears, ear infections and ear pain.

Treat what is underneath

If there is an infection it is treated too, and the doctor tells you when it is safe to swim again.

Common questions

Blocked ears — common questions

Cleaning should not be painful. Tell the doctor if the ear is already sore — an inflamed ear is handled differently.

Sometimes that is enough. If hearing has not come back after a day or two, or the ear hurts, stop experimenting and have it looked at.

Usually yes — it is common for both to be blocked when only one feels bad.

The doctor will tell you based on what they find inside the ear.

Ear still blocked?

Walk in during opening hours and have it looked at properly.

Ear cleaning Contact the clinic

General information, not a diagnosis. If symptoms are severe or getting worse, see a doctor straight away.