How to Unclog Your Ears
There are a number of reasons you may have clogged or stuffy ears. Maybe you have a sinus infection or excessive amount of earwax in the Eustachian tube. Or perhaps there's water in your ear or you're experiencing a change in altitude.
Whatever your reasoning may be, you may find that clogged ears distract you and take away from your overall quality of life. The good news is that there are several ways you can unclog your ears and get back to you normal self again. Here's how you can do so.
Pop Your Ears
When you pop your ears, you can open up the Eustachian tube and unclog your ears simultaneously. All you have to do is plug your nose and blow while you close your lips. Just be sure to avoid blowing too hard to avoid eardrum issues. Ear popping is a good option if your ears are clogged because of altitude changes.
Oral Decongestants and Nasal Sprays
If your clogged ears are the result of a sinus infection or nasal congestion, oral decongestants or nasal sprays may help. You can also use them before you fly to prevent ear clogging in the first place. Fortunately, both oral decongestants and nasal sprays can be purchased over the counter.
Warm Compress
Soak a clean cloth in warm water to create a warm compress. Then, take the warm compress and place it over your ear. This way you can allow steam to make its way into your ear canal and relieve your clogged ears. Taking a steaming hot shower may do the trick as well.
Irrigate Your Ear
Too much earwax can lead to clogging and discomfort. That's where ear irrigation comes in. Ear irrigation is a procedure that removes excess earwax or foreign materials from your ear. You can buy an ear irrigation kit online or at a local drugstore and complete the treatment in the comfort of your own home.
Should You See an ENT Doctor?
It's likely that you'll be able to treat your clogged ears at home. But if you'd like to expedite the recovery process or are not seeing any progress, don't hesitate to visit an ENT doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of your ear clogging and find fast relief.
In addition, seek medical attention if you face hearing loss, ear pain, dizziness, discharge, or a ringing sound.
