Having clogged ears is one of the most annoying feelings. We have all experienced that painful and troublesome sensation when our ears feel full or clogged and they need immediate relief. When the pressure changes between the inside of the ear and the outside, it causes the ears to feel clogged. Depending on the amount of change, it may even be painful. In this post you will find 11 tips on how to unpop your ears.
1. Yawn
Yawning helps to open the auditory tubes. Try yawning several times until the ears pop open.
2. Swallow
When you swallow, your muscles automatically work to open the auditory tubes. Try swallowing or sip water to help increase the need to swallow.
3. Pinch Your Nose and Swallow (Toynbee maneuver)
Pinching the nose and swallowing pulls open the auditory tubes while the movement of the tongue, with the nose closed, compresses air which passes through the tubes to the middle ear. This results in a decreased pressure against the middle ear which will open in response.
4. Pinch Your Nostrils and Blow (Valsalva maneuver)
Take a deep breath and pinch the nose. Keeping the mouth closed, softly and gently try to blow air through the nose. Transmitting air into the auditory tube and middle ear to relieve pressure. Be careful when performing this because there is a small risk of rupturing the eardrum.
5. Pinch Your Nose and Click Your Tongue (Frenzel maneuver)
Pinch your nose and use your tongue to make a clicking sound or a “k” sound. This is a much gentler non forced way to equalize pressure where only the tongue and throat muscles flex and contract with no forceful air.
6. Chewing gum
Chewing gum helps increase swallowing by stimulating saliva production. Also, the chewing motion can also help to open the auditory tubes.
7. Hard Candy
Similar to chewing gum the hard candy helps increase swallowing by stimulating saliva production.
8. Warm Compress
Take a wash cloth, run it under warm water, and wring it out . Apply the cloth to your ear for five or ten minutes, and the fluids in your ear will begin to drain.
9. Olive Oil or Hydrogen Peroxide
This helps to open up your Eustachian tubes by softening and removing your wax. Add lukewarm olive oil or hydrogen peroxide to an ear dropper and lie down with the clogged ear facing up. Place three to five drops of liquid in your blocked ear and stay in that position for five to ten minutes. Then, switch sides with the affected ear facing down and wait for your ear to drain earwax and the oil or hydrogen peroxide (make sure to use a towel).
10. Steaming
Put hot water into a large bowl. Create a tent with a towel by covering both yourself and the bowl with it. Inhale the steam to help thin the mucus and earwax in your ear.
11. Nasal Decongestants
Unclogging your nasal passageways can help with clogged ears. If you use an OTC nasal decongestant, make sure to follow the directions carefully.
Popping your ears is usually safe and effective, as long as you’re gentle. Ear popping usually works within a few tries. If this problems occurs often you may want to look into taking care of your ears regularly or try some natural ear remedies.