That plugged, muffled, or "underwater" feeling in your ears is a frustrating but common symptom of the common cold. It happens because the cold virus causes inflammation and excess mucus, which can block the Eustachian tubes —the tiny passages that connect your middle ear to the back of your throat. When these tubes are blocked, air can’t flow, and fluid builds up, creating pressure and that clogged sensation.
That plugged, muffled, or "underwater" feeling in your ears is a frustrating but common symptom of the common cold. It happens because the cold virus causes inflammation and excess mucus, which can block the Eustachian tubes —the tiny passages that connect your middle ear to the back of your throat. When these tubes are blocked, air can’t flow, and fluid builds up, creating pressure and that clogged sensation.