Whether it’s due to a cold, allergies or infection, sinusitis and other sinus-related issues can cause significant ear pain and pressure. Luckily, certain methods and tricks will help relieve your discomfort.

A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinus tissue. The causes of sinusitis vary—the infection could be viral, bacterial or fungus-related. The most common causes of sinusitis include the common cold, flu, and nasal and seasonal allergies. Viral sinusitis can stem from a cold, and buildup within your sinuses can lead to bacterial sinusitis. Fungal infections are most often seen in people with weakened immune systems and can be more severe and harder to fight.

So, what are some sinus infection symptoms? With a sinus infection, you may experience:

• Congestion;
• Runny nose;
• Headaches;
• Cough;
• Fever;
• Pressure in or around your nose, eyes, forehead, teeth and ears;
• Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of your throat);
• Thick mucus that’s yellow or green.

The connection between sinus and ear pressure is through the Eustachian tube. This tube links the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, helping regulate air pressure. When sinuses are inflamed or congested (sinusitis), it can affect the Eustachian tube's function, leading to ear pressure, fullness, and discomfort. Treating sinus issues can help alleviate these symptoms by reducing inflammation and improving Eustachian tube function.

The nose, ears and sinuses are interconnected. Sinusitis often leads to an ear infection; both can result from a viral or bacterial infection. With a sinus infection, fluid gets caught behind the eardrum, creating the perfect environment for viruses and bacteria to fester. And that’s how you can end up with an ear infection, too.

Even if your ears don’t become infected, you may also experience other issues because of this blockage behind the eardrums. As mentioned, ear pressure is a common symptom. That pressure, caused by buildup, can lead to dizziness, ringing in the ears and even temporary hearing loss.

If you’re wondering what causes pressure in the ears, there are a range of less common conditions in addition to the well-known ones. Rare ear pressure causes include:

• Meniere’s disease;
• Cholesteatoma;
• Acoustic neuroma;
• Fungal infection of the external ear;
• Serous otitis media;
• Afflictions of the jaw joints (temporomandibular joints).

How you can relieve sinus pressure in your ears will depend on the cause of it, but these methods will help:

• Over-the-counter decongestants, nasal sprays or antihistamines;
• Pain medication, including acetaminophen or ibuprofen;
• Saline rinses.

If you’re suffering from ear pain from a sinus infection, try some of these home remedies for ear pressure relief:

• Take a nasal decongestant;
• Gently blow your nose;
• Use a nasal rinse or nasal irrigation system;
• Try a humidifier to get rid of dry air that may irritate your nasal passageways;
• Place a warm compress washcloth on your ears or face;
• Avoid irritants, such as tobacco and vape smoke;
• Drink plenty of water.

To relieve sinus pressure in the ears through massage, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by gently pressing your fingers on the sides of your nose where the nasal passages meet the cheeks;
2. Use a circular motion with gentle pressure to massage outward towards your ears. This helps to encourage drainage and relieve congestion;
3. Next, using your index fingers, apply gentle pressure to the area just above your eyebrows and move in a circular motion towards your temples. This can help to alleviate tension and improve circulation in the sinus area;
4. Finally, lightly massage the ear lobes and gently tug on them to help open the Eustachian tubes and relieve pressure in the ears.

While most earaches resolve within a matter of days, long-term ear issues may require a medical consultation. If you’re looking for ways to relieve sinus pressure in your ears, over-the-counter medications can help mitigate the pain. But those who experience persistent fever—along with sinus pressure in ears, earache, fluid drainage, hearing loss or balance problems—should seek medical treatment, especially if they’re a child. You should also consult a doctor for other concerning symptoms, including serious headaches or significant pain in facial muscles.