The feeling of blockage and swelling on one side of the ear is mostly due to cerumen embolism in the ear itself, when water stains enter the ear or when there is more sweating. This may soak up the harder cerumen and block the gap in the external ear canal, and the feeling of blockage will be felt. There is also a recurring otitis externa with symptoms of redness, swelling, heat, and pain that occludes the external ear canal and causes the ear to become blocked. There are also some cases of otitis media or sensorineural deafness, which are mainly due to inflammation of the middle ear and nerve symptoms in the inner ear, and the blockage is just an illusion.