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
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.
Add a Comment179 Comments
thank you
November 24, 2016 - 9:33pmThis Comment
Ee I wish there was a like button
February 18, 2016 - 4:53pmThis Comment
This worked for me - Pinch your nose, take a deep breath then attempt to pop your ears in the normal way. If this doesn't work repeatedly allow at little air out of your nose thus creating a oscillating pressure wave in your sinuses. This on off pressure may release the blockage - don't blow too hard as you could damage your ear drums.
December 20, 2015 - 9:23amThis Comment
I've found that it's one of those weird things about pressure and your ear. How you blow your knows makes the difference between popping your ear or not popping it. What happens is you build up some kind of pressure and pop goes your ear. I actually just did this and tried to find a fix for myself. There doesn't seem to be a one fix fits all here. I noticed some movement to 'pop' my ear back in place (or release the pressure) when I had a yawn make air move back where your tongue can almost "scratch" your ear. You know that weird spot? I also vibrated my ear drum only on that side. It sounds like built in sub speakers. That helped a little. The last thing I did was take a damp q-tip and carefully clean my ear. I didn't want to just jab the q-tip in there. But I gradually went to the spot where my ear canal felt 'full.' Carefully keeping pressure there seemed to slowly release the pressure. After finishing, I happened to naturally yawn and that instantly released the pressure. Bottom line, no one really knows how to fix that except your doctor. But you can at least try whatever helps you.
October 16, 2015 - 11:12amThis Comment
I had a weird ear. And I went throught the comments and tried the ones I could, in the end I got fed up and all I did was get both of my thumbs put them over the flap of the ear and push in while opening my mouth as wide as I could. That made my ear feel so much better. Good luck. Xx
October 2, 2015 - 12:05pmThis Comment
Hi ,
September 25, 2015 - 8:07pmwhen you ear is exposed to a vapour it gets released by moving ur jaw.
This Comment
I just continually swallow which helps to make my ears feel normal again.
June 10, 2015 - 9:47pmThis Comment
the best way that worked for me was pinching my nose then blowing my nose as hard as i could. at first it didnt work but i tried again later and it finally cleared up! you can keep trying after it clears up to make sure its open all the way. its just pressure in your ear.
May 25, 2015 - 1:05amThis Comment
Just a word of warning - I actually perforated my eardrum doing this to unblock my ear!
November 17, 2015 - 5:36pmThis Comment
My left ear was clogged. I tried your method and it messed up my right ear :( Now I have 2 clogged ears.
August 13, 2015 - 3:08amThis Comment