It is an incredibly irritating and painful experience when you have a blocked ear. It has been demonstrated that the sensation of having one or both ears blocked can interfere with your daily activities, whether it’s the buildup of earwax, changes in pressure, or a mild infection. The good news is that the relief you seek does not always have to involve running to a doctor’s office. Some simple ways to open a blocked ear and restore hearing are safe and effective at home.
To open a blocked ear at home, try yawning, swallowing, using warm compresses, steam inhalation, or the Valsalva maneuver to relieve pressure.
Understanding the Causes of a Blocked Ear
Before proceeding with the solutions section, let’s try to find out why your ear may feel blocked in the first place. There are several common causes of ear blockages:
- Earwax Buildup: Earwax is one of the most common causes of an ear block. Excessive buildup of earwax can lead to ear blockage.
- Water in the Ear: Swimming or bathing causes water to get caught up in the ear canal. It can block your ears temporarily, and you can get a space known as a ‘swimmer’s ear.’
- Changes in Air Pressure: Fast pressure changes in the air will lead to feelings of ear pressure during flights or mountainous terrain passage. This condition occurs when the equilibrium between ear canal pressure and outside pressures gets disturbed.
- Sinus Congestion or Cold: Ear inflammation develops when the infection of both sinus congestion and common cold spreads to the ear space. Such conditions lead to ear blockage sensations.
- Ear Infections: Ear infections can also be the cause of a blocked ear; if the infection is in the ear, it can block your ears, and if the case is severe, it can lead to hearing loss.
- Foreign Objects: A blockage can sometimes occur if a small object or even an insect has become stuck in the ear canal.
Natural and Safe Ways to Open a Blocked Ear at Home
Should you suffer from a blocked ear, you need to approach the situation carefully and attempt not to add to the annus of your ear. Some ways to relieve a blocked ear at home are listed below.
1. Use Warm Compresses
A warm compress can be an excellent remedy for treating blocked ears. It helps to ease the ear and may even facilitate the leakage of earwax or water.
Steps to use a warm compress:
- Soak a clean washcloth in warm water.
- Blot excess water and gently apply the cloth to the ear.
- Depending on its size, you should leave the tube in place for five to ten minutes.
It is recommended to use this two to three times a day.
2. Try the Valsalva Maneuver
Performing the Valsalva maneuver is an effective method to return ear pressure when your blockage stems from changes in air pressure while flying or diving.
Steps to perform the Valsalva maneuver:
- Press your nostrils tight while blocking the opening of your mouth.
- Nasal breathing should be gentle with a controlled exhalation. The objective is to use air pressure through the Eustachian tube for ear weight balance.
- As the pressure normalizes, you should feel a gentle popping and clearing sensation in your ears.
- Wait for a pop, but do not force it if there is no one right away.
Perform this procedure two times maximum unless a medical evaluation is necessary because traction pressure stays abnormal.
3. Use Over-the-Counter Ear Drops
The ear drops available without prescription function as an easy method to break down earwax and unblock ears. When used from a pharmacy, these drops lead to ear wax softening and loosening.
Steps to use ear drops:
- Tilt your head so that the affected ear faces upwards.
- Insert 2 or 3 drops of the solution into your ear canal and hold it for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Tilt your head again so that the affected ear faces downwards.
- You can repeat this step 1-2 times until your ear wax has softened.
Always ask for advice from the healthcare provider before prepping ear drops.
4. Try Olive Oil or Mineral Oil
A natural remedy for earwax buildup is olive or mineral oil. The oil allows the earwax to be softened so much less of it can be removed by the finger.
Steps to use olive oil or mineral oil for removing ear wax:
- Heat the oil until it becomes warm and fully liquid
- Lay down on your side with the affected ear facing upwards
- Place a few drops in your ear
- Tilt your head with your ear facing downwards so the oil and the softened ear wax slide out.
If necessary, repeat this process for a few days. If the blockage persists, it may be wise to see a professional.
5. Water Irrigation (For Earwax Removal)
Gentle pressure with warm water can wash away the earwax buildup. This method works, but without using too much pressure, because applying too much pressure could do damage to the ear canal.
Steps to perform water irrigation:
- To do this, use a bulb syringe that is commonly available at drugstores and fill it with warm water.
- Tilt your head sideways so that the ear affected is towards the floor.
- Gently squirt the warm water into the ear canal.
- After a few seconds, tap your head so the water comes out swiftly.
Keep in mind that one cannot take this as advice if in doubt; consult a doctor prior to using it.
6. For Sinus Congestion, use Steam Inhalation.
You may benefit from steam inhalation as a treatment for ear blockage that originates from sinus congestion or common colds.
Steps to try steam inhalation:
- Boil a pot of water in a container.
- Apply a towel to your head and the pot to hold steam.
- The best strategy at this moment is to wait patiently for 5 to 10 minutes while breathing steadily in the steam.
- You can also add drops of essential oils like mint oil.
Use warm compresses, oils, steam, or OTC drops. Try the Valsalva maneuver. Avoid force or objects. Consult a doctor if the blockage persists.
FAQs
How can I prevent ear blockages?
Regular ear hygiene practices, along with clean washcloth use for the outer ear, help prevent earwax accumulation.
Can I use ear candles to unblock my ear?
Ear candles could burn or injure the ear canal and the eardrum. Albumin is safer than methods like warm compresses, ear drops, or gentle irrigation.
Can water trapped in the ear cause an infection?
There is a possibility, but a physician should always be consulted if you feel that you might have an infection.
How quickly does earwax normally break up on its own?
Usually, earwax resolves itself over time, but there is no specific time range.
What should I do if my ear remains blocked after trying home remedies?
If home remedies do not get rid of your ear block, it’s advised to go and see a health care provider.