Facebook Pixel
Q: 

How do you quickly clear a clogged ear from too much nose blowing?

By Expert HERWriter March 6, 2018 - 12:00am
 
Rate This
clearing clogged ear

Hello everyone!

A dear friend of mine called me tonight to ask me for some advice on how to fix her clogged-up ear. It seems she is getting over a bad cold and was doing some heavy-duty nose blowing and her left ear feels all funny now. Sort of like when you're on a plane and your ears pop. Hers needs to pop but won't. I thought maybe a decongestant would help her, or opening her mouth as wide as she can--that helps me sometimes when my ears won't pop on a plane. She tried opening her mouth and even moving her jaw back and forth but it didn't do anything.

She said it's hard to hear now in her left ear and it feels very full and has a bit of pressure, so she's hoping to get it back to normal pretty fast. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for her? I also tried to gently remind her not to blow her nose with such force so hopefully this won't happen again. Thanks so much everyone, Michelle

Add a Comment179 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Sucking hard while holding your nose? My ear has been clogged for 7 months now-I am desperate for relief. Please clarify

December 16, 2019 - 5:13pm
HERWriter Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anon!

Hold your nose with your thumb and forefinger so you can't breath through your nose and then suck hard as if you are sucking a hard candy.

Let us know if this works for you,
Susan

January 6, 2020 - 1:31pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

If your eustachian tube is clogged by mucus from a cold, for example after blowing your nose, as mine was, blowing while holding your nose will not help as it will force the mucus back further towards your middle ear. I had a blocked ear for almost 24 hours and tried sucking hard while holding my nose instead. It worked with two tries.

March 26, 2019 - 9:28am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi,
I used a q-tip and I think I pushed the wax down into my ear and it is now blocked.what can I do.

January 18, 2019 - 1:19pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello, Anon.

This link might help!
https://www.healthline.com/health/earwax-buildup#treatment

Helena

January 18, 2019 - 5:54pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

It's totally opposite on a plane then blowing a nose. When you are on a plane as you go higher the air pressure becomes lower than in your middle ear, that's why your ears get clogged. Whereas when you blow your nose you create a low pressure in your middle year and that's why your ears get clogged.

November 29, 2017 - 8:25pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

That trick posted on page 16 worked. I honestly can't believe it. I wish I had this trick when I was having this issue for months a while ago. But it solved my problem that just started a couple days ago.

To reiterate, this is what you do:
Place your thumb behind your ear lobe. Feel for the piece of cartilage that is really the bottom of your ear. Press your thumb both towards your jaw and also upwards so that you are slightly compressing your ear canal. Then slowly tilt your head sideways so that the ear your thumb is on is closest to the ground. Hold in that position.

Works wonders.

July 8, 2017 - 7:02pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Page 16? I’ve been clogged for 7 months and am desperate for relief. Please direct me to the page that shows exactly how you got relief!

December 16, 2019 - 5:15pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I can't believe that worked! I've been suffering for a week and I can finally hear again!

July 3, 2018 - 8:54am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I blew my nose (one side at a time) and when I did the right side, something popped and I also had pain deep in ear. I was kind of deaf in that ear for a short time then when it lessened, (and I could hear a bit better) it kind of shudders- like vibrates and whooshes. It's been like that for a month. I do not want to go to doctor. But I read on it and it could have turned into tinnitis - it's like just before you go to yawn and there's like a mini roar or wind sound.. ya know? Would appreciate any advice.

February 21, 2017 - 3:05pm
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.