The most common cause of an ear canal that's swollen shut is a bacterial infection known as swimmer's ear, but there a few other potential causes, too.

To help prevent a swollen earlobe, people should avoid known allergens, such as perfumed products or certain metals. They should also regularly clean their ears and free them from excess oil and dirt.

The ear is much more than a hearing device, ... Just inside a man’s ears is an exquisitely delicate mechanism, ... The canals may have been bruised and become swollen.

"If the ear canal is very swollen, a small, sponge-like wick may be placed inside to help the medication reach deeper and reduce swelling more effectively," says Deep.