When you have ear congestion, you feel pressure in your ears, sometimes accompanied by pain, lightheadedness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and mild hearing loss. The cause is attributable to colds, allergies or sinusitis. It can also be the result of pressure built up during an airplane trip, scuba diving, or a rapid change in altitude. Fortunately, you can alleviate it by using the forced compensation mechanism. If that doesn't work, take action on the root cause or remove the earwax plug.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Get Quick Relief
Step 1. Swallow in order to open the Eustachian tubes
The swallowing movement flexes the muscles that control the Eustachian tubes, favoring their opening. You will likely hear a snap when they unclog.
- Suck on a candy for easier swallowing.
- If you need to help a baby swallow during a plane trip, give him a pacifier or bottle.
Step 2. Yawn
Like swallowing, yawning also flexes the muscles that control the Eustachian tubes, helping them open. They are more effective than saliva ingestion, although for some people they may be a little more complicated.
If your ears are blocked from flying, yawn during the takeoff and landing of the plane
Step 3. Chew gum
Also with this system you can flex the muscles that control the auditory tubes by making them open. Chew until your ears are unclogged.
Step 4. Slowly push air out of your nose
Take a deep breath. Keeping your mouth closed, plug the nostrils so that they are almost closed. Then, slowly exhale through your nose. If you hear a sharp noise, your ears have become unclogged.
- This remedy doesn't work for everyone. If after one or two attempts it doesn't work, try something else.
- If you're traveling by plane and want to prevent your ears from getting clogged, use this technique during takeoff and landing.
Step 5. Clean the nasal passages
You can use the neti pot to irrigate your nasal passages and relieve sinus symptoms, including congestion. Fill it with a sterile solution or distilled water. Tilt your head 45 degrees, then place the tip of the neti pot in the topmost nostril. Slowly pour in the solution, pulling it out through the bottom one.
- Blow your nose, then repeat with the other nostril.
- The lota neti thins the mucus favoring its elimination together with the irritating substances that could be trapped in the nasal cavities.
- Follow all instructions in the neti pot carefully so you don't accidentally inhale the water.
Step 6. Inhale the steam to open the nasal passages
Pour boiling water into a large bowl, then cover your head with a towel. Lean so that your face is on top of the bowl. Breathe slowly through your nose to allow the steam to thin and loosen the mucus. If it goes down your throat, expel it.
- Try adding some spices or herbs to the water. Some, such as chamomile, have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and, therefore, are also beneficial.
- Hot showers, saunas or humidifiers also have a soothing effect.
- Do not place steaming objects near your ear as you could burn yourself.
- Be careful not to get too close to the steam, as you could burn your face.
Part 2 of 3: Treating Ear Congestion
Step 1. Take an over-the-counter nasal decongestant if you are cold, have an allergy or suffer from sinusitis
Often the ears become blocked due to nasal congestion because the Eustachian tubes connect the back of the nose to the middle ear. Since nasal decongestants relieve the annoying stuffy nose, they can also help you unclog your ears.
- Just go to the pharmacy. If you want a decongestant made by a particular drug company, you will probably need to order it, but a prescription is not required.
- Stop taking it after three days, unless your doctor tells you to continue.
- Before taking a nasal decongestant, you should consult your doctor, especially if you are taking other medications or have high blood pressure, glaucoma or prostate problems. Likewise, do not arbitrarily give it to a child.
Step 2. Get topical corticosteroid treatment
Steroid medications can relieve inflammation within the nasal passages, which causes stuffy nose, but also ear congestion.
- Do not use them without first consulting your doctor.
- They are self-medication or prescription medicines.
- They are especially useful for allergy sufferers.
Step 3. Take an antihistamine if you have an allergy
If left untreated, allergies favor ear plugs because they cause congestion by irritating the nasal passages. However, taking an antihistamine daily helps prevent this from happening. There are several active ingredients, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Clarityn) and fexofenadine hydrochloride (Fexallegra).
- Talk to your doctor before taking an antihistamine or if what you're taking doesn't work.
- If you are traveling by plane, take it an hour before your flight to prevent pressure from clogging your ears.
- Before taking it, read all the instructions and precautions in the package insert.
Step 4. See your doctor if the pain is severe or persistent
You should start feeling better within a few hours of taking the drug. If not, you need to be examined. Ear congestion can get worse if not treated properly. Also, be aware that you may have an infection.
- See your doctor right away if you have a fever or notice discharge from your ear.
- Take any medications he prescribes, especially antibiotics, or the symptoms may return.
- He may also prescribe ear drops to help you manage the pain.
Step 5. Learn about ear ventilation tubes for chronic ear congestion
Your doctor may insert tubes to drain fluids and relieve pressure inside the ear. This treatment is recommended when ear congestion recurs.
Often this is done on children who suffer from frequent otitis. The insertion of the ventilation tubes reduces the onset of infection and promotes patient healing
Part 3 of 3: Treating Congestion Caused by Earwax
Step 1. Tilt your head sideways
The affected ear should be facing up, while the other towards the floor. Make yourself more comfortable by lying down or resting your head on a pillow.
Step 2. Put 2-3 drops of water, saline or hydrogen peroxide into your ear
It is better to use a dropper so as not to overdo it. It doesn't matter which options you choose, because they will all be fine. However, keep in mind that saline and hydrogen peroxide are sterile substances, so you are less likely to develop an infection if they stay inside the ear.
Do not introduce any liquid substances if you think you have an infection or a perforated eardrum
Step 3. Wait at least one minute for the liquid to enter the ear
The force of gravity will push it towards the ear, softening the earwax plug. It will only take a minute.
Don't wait too long, or the substance may penetrate your ear more than it should
Step 4. Tilt your head to the other side to allow earwax to escape
Once softened, it will begin to melt and descend thanks to the force of gravity. To get it, put a towel under your ear.
- If you are lying down, turn to the other side.
- Alternatively, you can use a bulb syringe to aspirate loose ear wax.
Step 5. See your doctor if your ear is still blocked
He'll examine it to make sure it's just a plug of earwax. If necessary, he will use a more precise technique to remove it.
If you have tried to remove earwax with a cotton swab, it may be that a more compact plug has accidentally formed. Your doctor will help you dissolve it
Advice
- Avoid giving over-the-counter medications to young children without consulting your doctor. Children tend to develop ear infections, so it is necessary to get them to a doctor when symptoms first appear, as they may need more specific treatment.
- Do not take antihistamines or decongestants for more than a week without your doctor's advice.
- Do not travel by plane or scuba dive if you have a cold or suffer from sinusitis.
- On an airplane, use filtered earplugs to prevent ear congestion.
