Ear congestion is a common complaint that can affect people of all ages. Children, in particular, are more likely to experience ear congestion due to the common cold. Ears can become congested for various reasons, and the symptoms accompanying the congestion vary accordingly. For example, in addition to ear congestion, a person may also experience earaches and headaches. Although it rarely leads to a serious problem, prolonged ear congestion should not be ignored and medical attention should be sought. Neglected ear infections can lead to problems ranging up to hearing loss.
If a baby or young child experiences ear blockage, the child’s doctor should be consulted. Adults can try some recommended home remedies for their own ear blockage, but if you are unsure, it is best to consult an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
Pushing earwax further into the ear while attempting to clean it, as well as conditions like sinusitis, allergies, fluid buildup in the ear, or changes in air pressure during air travel, can all cause ear blockage.
How to Relieve Ear Blockage?
Warning: If your ear shows even the slightest sign of infection, you should not try the methods described here. The solutions recommended for clearing ear blockage on your own are intended for blockages caused by earwax.
Ear infections can only be treated with antibiotics and pain relievers prescribed by a doctor. You cannot clear an infection-related blockage by following the recommendations here.
The following symptoms may indicate an ear infection, and in such cases, you should see a doctor immediately:
- Severe, persistent pain in the ear lasting more than a few hours
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Fever
- Yellow or green discharge from the ear
Now, if the ear is blocked due to simpler causes like earwax, what solutions are available:
- You can purchase and use earwax-softening drops from any pharmacy.
- In addition to the drops, you can apply a drop of hydrogen peroxide to the blocked ear to soften the wax and help it come out.
- You can try applying a few drops of baby oil to your ear to soften the earwax.
- If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide on hand, you can warm a few drops of olive oil (to body temperature) and put them in your ear. The olive oil softens the wax, and you can then easily remove it with a cotton swab.
- A few drops of glycerin is another option to help clear a blocked ear.
- If your ears are blocked during a flight, you can yawn frequently or chew gum to equalize the pressure in your ears.
- If your ear is blocked due to sinusitis, first and foremost, be careful not to blow your nose too hard. Keep your mouth open while clearing your nose.
- A 10–15-minute warm shower can help relieve ear blockage. The steam can soften earwax.
- Swallowing repeatedly is one of the simple remedies to reduce pressure in the ear.
- In cases of severe blockage, using allergy medication may help clear the blockage.
- There is another method that works well for ear blockage but requires a bit of skill. Pinch your nostrils shut with your fingers. After taking a breath through your mouth, try to exhale through your nose while keeping both your mouth and nostrils closed. This method is effective for clearing ear blockage but may cause moderate pain. It is an extremely effective method, especially for ears blocked due to air travel, when repeated a few times.
Once you’ve managed to soften the earwax, do not under any circumstances try to clean your ear by poking around with sharp objects. You could damage your eardrum.
Sinusitis and Ear Congestion
The sinuses and ears in the head are interconnected. Blockage in the sinuses affects the pressure in the ears. Treating sinusitis will also provide relief for blocked ears.
Try not to let your sinuses dry out; keep them moist. Using a nasal spray a few times a day or placing a warm, damp cloth on your face can help relieve sinus pain and pressure. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Nasal sprays or decongestant medications can help clear both the sinuses and ear congestion. However, these types of sprays should be used for no more than 3 days or as long as your doctor recommends.
Avoiding extreme heat or cold can prevent sinus-related ear blockages from worsening. If you have sinusitis or ear blockage, it is recommended to avoid very cold or very hot environments.
If your sinuses are blocked, avoid bending your head forward. You may need to postpone activities like exercise or yoga that require bending your head forward.
Exercises to Relieve Ear Blockage
When traveling by plane or riding in an elevator, sudden changes in altitude can cause your ears to feel blocked. In such a situation, instead of aimlessly fiddling with your ears, you can help them clear up more quickly by performing various facial and mouth exercises.
Sinusitis and Ear Congestion
The sinuses and ears in the head are interconnected. Blockage in the sinuses affects the pressure in the ears. Treating sinusitis will also provide relief for ear congestion.
- Try not to let your sinuses dry out; keep them moist. Using a nasal spray a few times a day or placing a warm, damp cloth on your face can relieve sinus pain and pressure. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Nasal sprays or decongestant medications can help clear both the sinuses and ear congestion. However, these types of sprays should be used for no more than 3 days or for the duration recommended by your doctor.
- Avoiding extreme heat or cold can prevent sinus-related ear congestion from worsening. If you have sinusitis or ear congestion, it is recommended that you avoid environments that are very cold or very hot.
- If your sinuses are blocked, avoid bending your head forward. You may need to postpone activities that require bending your head forward, such as exercise or yoga.
Exercises to Relieve Ear Blockage
When traveling by plane or riding in an elevator, sudden changes in altitude can cause your ears to feel blocked. In such situations, instead of aimlessly poking at your ears with your fingers, you can help your ears pop more quickly by performing various facial and mouth exercises.
If you’re unsure how to perform these recommended exercises for ear blockage, you should consult your doctor first.
Yawning
Yawning is one of the most effective ways to clear your ears when they feel blocked. Whether you’re sleepy or not, try yawning by opening your mouth wide and relaxing your jaw, even if it takes a little effort.
If you manage to yawn, you’ll open the Eustachian tube in your ear. This will reduce the pressure in the tubes, and the blockage will begin to clear. Keep yawning until the pressure in your ear is completely gone.
If you’re unable to yawn, simply opening your mouth as if you were about to yawn can also help open the Eustachian tubes.
Chewing Motion
Clench and release your teeth as if you were chewing a large piece of bread, and move your lips. This motion can reduce the sensation of pressure in your ears and help open the Eustachian tubes.
Actually putting something to chew in your mouth or chewing gum will do the same thing. However, if you don’t have anything to chew on, the best option is to pretend to chew.
Chewing Motion
Clench and release your teeth as if you were chewing a large piece of bread, and move your lips. This motion can reduce the sensation of pressure in your ears and help open the Eustachian tubes.
Actually putting something to chew in your mouth or chewing gum will do the same thing. However, if you don’t have anything to chew on, the best option is to pretend to chew.
Swallowing
Swallowing a drink or a bite of food—or simply swallowing your saliva—can help open the Eustachian tubes. In fact, starting to swallow as soon as you feel your ears getting blocked can prevent ear blockage from occurring in the first place.
For example, taking small sips of water during takeoff or landing on a plane can completely prevent changes in ear pressure. Swallowing every few seconds until the plane reaches a stable altitude will also be helpful.
Important Considerations
If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, it is recommended that you consult an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist rather than attempting to clear the ear blockage on your own:
- Do you have hearing loss?
- Do you experience dizziness?
- Do your ears hurt?
- Do you have ringing in your ears?
- Is there discharge coming from your ear?
If the home remedies you’ve tried aren’t working, you may need a stronger medication or to have your ear flushed by a doctor. In that case, you can consult your doctor to have your ear cleaned.
How to Relieve Ear Blockage in Children?
If the issue in children isn’t earwax, ear blockage is usually caused by an infection such as a cold or sinusitis. This type of ear blockage may be accompanied by a stuffy nose and can last for one or two weeks. If the blockage has lasted longer than a week, an allergic reaction may be the cause. Possible causes include pet allergies or hay fever.
To relieve ear congestion in children, it is absolutely essential to first consult a doctor and obtain their advice and approval. It is best not to insert any objects into the child’s ear and to avoid using any medications or methods without consulting a doctor unless you are certain.
If your child’s ears are blocked due to an infection or allergies, you can help by instilling 2–3 drops of saline solution (mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water) to help clear the child’s nose and soften the mucus causing the blockage.
If the child’s pillow (and head) is kept slightly elevated while sleeping, the discomfort caused by the blockage throughout the night can be reduced.
You should encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Warm, liquid foods like soup are particularly helpful in thinning mucus.
If the blockage is causing pain, be sure to consult a doctor before giving any medication.
Never allow anyone to smoke around the child.