How to Clear Out Clogged Ears Quickly and Naturally

Is your day being disrupted by clogged ears? That dull, blocked feeling can hinder communication, impair concentration, and cause you to feel cut off from the outside world.

Clogged ears can be annoying and uncomfortable, regardless of the cause—air pressure fluctuations, sinus congestion, or a persistent deposit of earwax.

Ear congestion can be fixed without invasive procedures or costly therapies, but natural therapies can offer fast fixes to successfully treat it, frequently in the convenience of your own home.

This article explains typical reasons and preventive actions before delving into practical, tried-and-true natural ear unclogging techniques. So, let’s look at some simple, all-natural ways to regain your comfort and hearing!

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Why Do Your Ears Become Clogged?

Clogged ears are more than just a minor irritation—they are your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t quite right. When the delicate equilibrium within your ear’s structures is upset, you may experience that “blocked” feeling, often described as muffled hearing or ear fullness.

Blocked ears, also known as Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD), can occur occasionally or frequently, especially in allergy sufferers. Visiting places with higher elevations can also trigger this unpleasant sensation, as cold air may cause your ears to feel clogged.

According to Dr. Goldman, blocked ears can hurt and happen for several causes, such as:

Wax Buildup: Excess earwax can obstruct the ear canal, creating a plugged sensation.

Pressure Changes: Differences in pressure in the middle ear, often due to altitude shifts, can create discomfort.

Infections Of The Ears: Ear infections, which cause pain and a plugged-up feeling, can result from infected fluid trapped behind your eardrum and swelling and bulging.

Swimmer’s Ear: Blocked ears can also result from swimmer’s ear, an infection in the lining of your ear canal. It is not a middle ear infection but an external ear infection.

Sinus Infections: The pressure behind your eardrum may alter due to sinus infections.

While ear clogging can affect anyone, it is particularly common in children, especially with colds. The condition often causes pain and irritation, but relief can be found through medication or natural remedies like warm compresses and chewing gum.

If symptoms continue, consulting a healthcare professional is recommended.

How to Unclog Your Ear?

1. Chewing Gum

Your jaw and throat muscles contract as you chew gum, assisting in balancing the pressure inside and outside your ears. Feelings of congested ears can be relieved by the movement of gum chewing.

2. Warm Compress

A heated compress opens the eustachian tube to help remove extra fluid or wax from the ear canal. It is particularly beneficial if you have infections or irritated sinuses.

3. Popping Your Ears

One easy method to lower ear pressure is to pop your ears. The Valsalva maneuver involves squeezing your nose shut with two fingers while taking a deep breath and exhaling. The pressure created by this maneuver causes your ear to “pop” or unclog. Avoid blowing too forcefully, as this may harm your eardrum.

4. The Toynbee Maneuver

To equalize pressure, you can open your eustachian tubes and let air enter or exit your middle ear by pressing your nostrils shut and swallowing. It can help with congested or muted hearing and the feeling of fullness.

5. Nasal Sprays and Oral Decongestants

Oral decongestants or nasal sprays may be helpful if a sinus infection or nasal congestion causes your plugged ears. To avoid ear clogging, you can also use them before flying. Thankfully, nose sprays and oral decongestants are both available over-the-counter.

6. Irrigate Your Ear

Excessive earwax buildup can lead to discomfort and blockage. Ear irrigation is a method that helps remove excess earwax or foreign objects from your ear. You can purchase an ear irrigation kit online or at your local pharmacy to perform the procedure conveniently at home.

7. Utilize Steam

Steam is a tried-and-true method for clearing clogged ears, particularly those brought on by allergies or infections. Since the sinuses are directly connected to the ears, the moist heat aids in relieving pressure and loosening mucus. Take a warm shower or inhale steam from a bowl of hot water for immediate relief.

8. Olive Oil Use

Olive oil has been widely used and can be safely taken in tiny amounts. Although it may take several days for the olive oil to soften the wax sufficiently to migrate out eventually, it is still a far safer solution than other approaches.

Tilt your head to the side and use a dropper to apply two to three drops of the oil to the affected ear. Hold this position for a few minutes to give the oil time to reach the earwax. To help soften the wax and enable its natural movement, repeat this procedure once or twice a day for a few days.

9. Apply a Saline Spray

To unplug your ears, you can use a nasal spray to reduce irritation and sinus obstruction. To ensure proper use, direct the nasal spray toward the rear of your nose instead of the septum, which is the central part of your nose.

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When to Seek Medical Help

While most clogged ear cases can be resolved quickly, some require expert assistance. Ignoring warning signs can worsen the situation or point to a more serious problem. Seeing a doctor helps identify the cause of plugged ears and hasten the healing process.

Prescription drugs can occasionally help treat middle ear and sinus infections.

If you are experiencing symptoms of sinus infection, it is recommended that you consult a physician. Viral infections are easily treated and usually cause ear infections in adults and children.

Speak with a medical expert if you’re having any of the following symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Hearing loss
• Ringing sound
• Discharge
• Ear ache

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Conclusion

Although clogged ears might be annoying, relief is possible with the correct treatments and precautions. You can successfully manage and avoid ear congestion using natural remedies like steam inhalation, safe ear-cleaning techniques, and proactive behaviors like drinking enough water and shielding your ears when swimming or flying.

Remember that it’s critical to identify the underlying reason for your plugged ears. A healthcare provider should treat severe or persistent symptoms to prevent consequences, even though you may handle many instances at home.

• Jun 2017
  Written by Prajakt K
• Jan 2025
  Edited by Ankita Sethy