Here's hoping the world is taking on a clearer tone for you Aidy.
It's flippin' miserable when you can't hear what's going on around you and you want to know.
Had the same on and off for 60+ years.....although sometimes it's useful (but rarely).
I once had a private health appointment to try to get it sorted (had to do something quick as I couldn't work it was so bad!!). These days all under control - no more head-aches or feeling as if I have a brick stuck in and around each ear. Isolating and very tiring.
I use "Flixi-nase" (or the nearest I can get to it over the chemists counter - Becanase isn't bad but not as good). It's a nasal spray - mostly used for hay fever (which I've never had). Stops the sinuses blocking, prevents me getting "glue-ear" and stops the outer ear channel blocking. Once in a while I use Erax which is supposed to dissolve ear-wax. It can help.
My GP told me never to do this but... He took a paper-clip, unbent it, sterilised the end and gently shoved it into my ear - worked wonders!! I would never do this even with a long match-stick or if I did I would never tell anyone of course.
Here's wishing you all the joys of crinkly-crunchy-crackling Christmas wrapping paper