One ear is muffled/ringing the last 4d since snorkeling. i can equalize with no problem. the outer ear is clear. i assume water in the middle ear, but since i can equalize fine i think the eustachian tube is not blocked so how could that be?

If water entered your ear canal & mixed with wax, the latter would be apt to swell &block the canal near the ear drum. Water cannot penetrate the ear drum unless there is a perforation of the ear drum. All this is.independent of the eustachian tube. An examination of your ear will determine if you require ear wax removal by aspiration or currette but not irrigation unless the ear drum is visible