Buzz
Ear blockages are often described as an obstruction inside the ear canal. This condition is typically accompanied by various symptoms such as dizziness and may sometimes lead to sinus issues, colds, or allergies. You may hear sounds like tapping or wind blowing through a tunnel, experience hearing loss, or feel as though there is liquid or fluid inside the ear. Additionally, your ear may feel blocked when there are changes in the pressure inside the middle ear, especially when flying or when there is a significant altitude change. To treat common ear blockages, you can try gravity, nasal irrigation, decongestants, or steam inhalation. Furthermore, you can also opt for specialized therapies to clear the blockage if the symptoms are due to pressure, earwax, or an infection.
Steps
Common Therapies
Identify the cause of the blockage. If the issue is caused by flying, the blockage will usually resolve on its own. However, if you have recently caught a cold or experienced allergies, the symptoms of ear blockage may resemble those of nasal congestion. If you have trouble hearing, it could also be due to earwax buildup obstructing your hearing. You should see a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than 48 hours and are accompanied by pain.
Use gravity. Sometimes, ear blockages occur due to fluid buildup in the Eustachian tube (a part of the middle ear). If you suspect fluid is trapped in your ear, try these gravity-based methods to relieve the blockage.
- Lean your head to one side (towards the blocked ear) and jump slowly and steadily. Be careful not to fall! This motion can sometimes help expel the trapped fluid from the Eustachian tube.
- Lie down on the side with the blocked ear, with your head resting on a pillow. Stay in this position for an hour. Gravity will assist in draining the fluid out of the ear.
Rinse your sinuses with water or use a nasal irrigation device. Nasal congestion can sometimes feel similar to ear blockage, so it’s easy to mistake the two. For some people, rinsing the sinuses can quickly clear symptoms without the need for medication. A nasal irrigation bottle works by thinning the mucus and flushing it out through the nostrils.
- Note: Do not pour liquids into the ear canal if you have a ruptured eardrum or suspect an ear infection. Instead, see a doctor.
- Nasal irrigation bottles come in kits with instructions to follow. First, prepare a saline solution by mixing 450 ml of warm (sterile) water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Fill the irrigation bottle with the saline solution.
- Tilt your head at a 45-degree angle and insert the bottle nozzle into one nostril. The saline will flow into one nostril, pass through the sinuses, and exit through the other nostril. If the solution enters your mouth, just spit it out. Blow your nose and repeat on the other side.
- How often should you use the nasal irrigation bottle? Those with sinus or allergy issues often rinse their nose daily. Once symptoms improve, the recommended frequency is 3 times a week.
Use decongestants. If your ear blockage is caused by seasonal allergies or a cold, you can use decongestants. These medications reduce swelling in the ear tube. You may also combine antihistamines with decongestants, as long as you follow the instructions on the label.
Place your finger in the ear and create a vacuum. Place your index finger in your ear and gently move it up and down. Since ear shapes vary, you may need to adjust your technique slightly. Gently move your finger around until you create a vacuum. This method can help draw fluid out of your ear.
Use a hot water steam therapy with a towel. Pour hot water into a large basin, allowing the steam to rise. Cover your head with a towel and hold it over the steam. The steam will help loosen mucus, which you can then expel by blowing your nose into a separate basin.
- Try adding tea or other herbs to the steam therapy. Chamomile tea, for example, is a great addition because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
- A hot shower, sauna, or humidifier can also help relieve nasal congestion. Avoid placing any steaming items too close to your ear, as the steam produced in this way can sometimes be quite hot.
Treating ear damage caused by flying or pressure changes
Addressing inner ear blockage, commonly known as "barotrauma". When flying or driving at high altitudes, you might experience "barotrauma". A rapid altitude change can cause a pressure difference that leads to ear injury from the sudden pressure change.
Try yawning or swallowing. These actions help circulate air in the inner ear. Chewing gum can also stimulate saliva production, which encourages swallowing.
- Perform the Valsalva maneuver. Pinch your nose shut and gently blow air through it to balance the air pressure. If done correctly, you'll hear a soft "pop" sound.
Take an antihistamine before flying. Take an antihistamine 30 minutes before your flight or when traveling to higher altitudes. This medication will reduce swelling inside the ear canal, making it easier for air to flow through the Eustachian tube.
Use earplugs to balance air pressure. Pressure-balancing earplugs are available at pharmacies and airport shops to help equalize the pressure in your ears.
Treating ear blockage caused by earwax
Removing earwax with over-the-counter products. The blockage, also known as "cerumen impaction," occurs when earwax is pushed deep into the ear canal. If your blockage is due to earwax buildup, try using an over-the-counter earwax removal product, following the instructions on the packaging.
- Cotton swabs and similar items, such as rolled-up tissues, can make the situation worse. While they may remove some earwax, they also push the remaining wax further into the ear canal, worsening the problem.
- People who frequently use hearing aids are at higher risk of developing earwax blockage.
Using a mixture of vinegar and isopropyl alcohol to remove earwax. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and isopropyl alcohol, place the solution into a dropper, and carefully drop it into your ear canal. This will break down the earwax and simultaneously clear any fluid buildup behind the wax (if present).
- Another option is to use diluted hydrogen peroxide (3%) in the ear. This solution will clean the ear and remove earwax.
- Note: Do not put any liquid in the ear canal if you have a perforated eardrum or suspect an ear infection. In such cases, seek medical attention.
Doctors do not recommend using ear candling. Ear candling involves a hollow cone-shaped candle made from paraffin, beeswax, and fabric, with one end lit and the other placed in the ear. As the candle burns, it creates a vacuum that supposedly draws out earwax. However, clinical trials have raised concerns about its effectiveness, and doctors worry about the risks associated with this method.
Treating blockage caused by infection
See a doctor. If the blockage is accompanied by pain in the inner ear or if the outer ear becomes sensitive to touch, it is likely that you have an ear infection. This type of infection is common in young children. The doctor may recommend the following treatments:
- Use antibiotics as prescribed. An ear infection requires antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection.
- Use pain-relieving ear drops, such as antipyrene-benzocaine. This numbing agent won't treat the blockage, but it will help alleviate the pain.
Apply a warm compress to the affected ear area. Use anything available, such as a heating pad or a warm water bottle. The warmth from the fabric will help clear the blockage and ease the pain.
Consider the following additional tips. If you have any questions, speak to your doctor about the effectiveness and relevance of these suggestions for your situation.
- Only take antihistamines if your ear infection is accompanied by a blockage. Antihistamines may dry out your throat and airways, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
- When caring for a toddler with an ear infection, try to feed them a bottle in an upright position. Avoid letting them drink while lying down, and try to wean them at the appropriate time as advised by your pediatrician.
- Gargling with a saltwater solution can help alleviate symptoms of sore throat that often accompany ear infections, while soothing the Eustachian tube. Simply mix warm water with a teaspoon of salt, or combine water with a bit of lemon and honey. Gargle for 15-30 seconds, then spit it out.
Advice
- Avoid giving over-the-counter medications to young children without a doctor's consent. Children are highly susceptible to ear infections and should be examined as soon as symptoms appear, as they require more stringent treatment methods.
- Do not use antihistamines and decongestants for more than a week without your doctor's approval.
- When adding additives to steam inhalation, the vapor will trigger sneezing, which may help relieve the blockage.
