Say What? 7 Tips to Unclog Your Blocked Ears

Earwax buildup, allergies, infections, or changes in air pressure might be behind your clogged ears. There are many easy ways to get relief at home.

Whether it’s from a cold, allergies, or changes in air pressure, blocked ears can disrupt your day-to-day activities and even cause discomfort. Thankfully, there are several effective methods to help unclog your ears and restore your hearing. Listen up!

Why are my ears clogged?

Clogging can happen either on the inside or the outside of your eardrum. Here are the most common ways your ears can get blocked:

• Earwax in the outer ear helps prevent particles and excess water from entering the middle ear. However, if earwax builds up too much outside the eardrum, it can cause a blockage.
• If you’ve been swimming recently, some water might be stuck in your ear canal, pushing against your eardrum. When that water hangs around too long, it can lead to a swimmer’s ear, an outer ear infection.
• Sinus infections, ear infections, and Eustachian tube dysfunction can pressure your eardrum’s inner side.
• Allergies can cause uncomfortable inflammation and congestion in your ears. Your sinuses, throat, and ears are connected, so when you feel stuffed up and sniffly, your inner ear feels the pain too.
• Changes in air pressure, like when you fly, can cause uncomfortable ear pressure.

Best clogged ear remedies

1. Pop and unclog

The easiest way to unclog your ears is by “popping” them. Just pinch your nose shut, seal your lips, and gently blow. This simple technique, known as the Valsalva maneuver, won’t clear earwax or fluid but is a common trick people use on planes.

2. Swallow, yawn, or chew

The Eustachian tubes connect your middle ear to the back of your throat. They briefly open when you swallow, yawn, or chew. Altitude changes can cause these tubes to close, but chewing gum or yawning can help reopen them. Alternatively, you can try the Toynbee maneuver, where you hold your nose and swallow.

3. Ear drops

Over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops can soften and dissolve excess earwax. If you prefer a DIY approach, warm a small amount of mineral oil and use an eye dropper to apply a few drops into your ear for a few minutes.

Pro tip: Baby oil or olive oil can also be used, but make sure it’s not too hot. Additionally, diluted hydrogen peroxide drops can be helpful.

4. Warmth and gravity

To loosen up clogged earwax, use a warm, damp washcloth as a compress. Lie down with the clogged ear facing down against the heated washcloth. Gravity and heat will help the earwax move along more easily.

5. Hit the steam room

Steam can help drain sinuses and alleviate pressure in your inner ear. Close the bathroom door, let the hot shower run for a while, and then luxuriate with deep, cleansing breaths. 

6. Take allergy medication

Because your throat, sinuses, and ears are interconnected, any sickness affecting your sinuses or throat can also impact your ears.

Over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal sprays can relieve sniffles, coughs, and ear discomfort.

7. Rinse away the gunk

Rinsing your nasal passages with a medication-free saline solution can help reduce congestion and clear out mucus that might be causing ear blockage. You can also consider investing in a nasal irrigation system for more thorough mucus clearing.

When to see your doctor

Have you been unable to unclog your ears for a few days, or are you experiencing severe pain, fever, dizziness, hearing loss, fluid discharge, or unusual odor? If so, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider promptly. These symptoms may indicate an infection that needs medical attention.

What not to do when you have clogged ears

• Cotton swabs: Q-tips and other cotton swabs to remove earwax can push it further into your ear canal, so don’t do it. 
• Candling: Ear candles might seem like a fun party trick, but there’s no science to prove they work, and they’ve been shown to cause injuries.
• Sprays: Decongestant nasal sprays can be helpful, but using them too long can lead to rebound congestion.
• Drying solutions: A few drops of rubbing alcohol or a mixture of one part vinegar and one part alcohol can help dry out the ears when you have a swimmer’s ear. However, doing this regularly can lead to irritation.

Takeaway

Clogged ears are often caused by earwax buildup, allergies, infections, or changes in air pressure. You can use over-the-counter or DIY ear drops, irrigation kits, or warm compresses to unblock your ears. Antihistamines or nasal sprays can also help relieve clogs caused by allergies.

PSA: Consult a healthcare provider if your blocked ears are painful or at-home remedies don’t work.