You may barely notice your Eustachian tubes whenever they’re working fine, but whenever they’re clogged, it feels like your ears are stuffed with cotton. That pressure, muffled hearing, or occasional popping can drive anyone up the wall. The positive aspect? You don’t have to suffer—simple tricks like yawning, swallowing, or a quick maneuver can open things up fast. Want to know which methods actually work and how to do them right? Let’s get into it.
Yawning and Swallowing to Stimulate Eustachian Tube Opening
A few simple tricks can help open your Eustachian tubes as soon as they feel clogged—starting with yawning and swallowing.
Whenever you yawn, the muscles around your ears activate, gently pulling the tubes open to relieve pressure. Swallowing does the same thing, especially in case you take small sips of water or chew gum to encourage frequent movement.
These actions help equalize pressure between your middle ear and the outside, easing blockages caused by altitude changes, like flying or diving.
Even fake yawning can work in the event that you can’t do it naturally. The more you practice, the better your body gets at keeping those tubes clear.
It’s a quick, easy fix that doesn’t require any special tools—just your own reflexes.
Performing the Valsalva Maneuver for Quick Relief
One effective way to clear a blocked Eustachian tube is the Valsalva maneuver—a simple technique that can bring quick relief as pressure builds up in your ears.
To do it, pinch your nostrils shut and gently blow through your nose, as though you’re trying to pop your ears. This helps apply pressure to open the Eustachian tubes, balancing air pressure in your inner ear.
Don’t blow too hard—just enough to feel slight pressure for up to 5 seconds. Overdoing it can cause discomfort or worsen a block. Use this technique during flights or diving to manage pressure changes.
In case it doesn’t work right away, wait a few minutes before trying again. It’s a handy trick for fast relief whenever your ears feel clogged.
Chewing Gum or Sucking on Hard Candy
Should the Valsalva maneuver doesn’t quite do the trick, chewing gum or sucking on hard candy could help.
The motion stimulates saliva production, making you swallow more often, which helps open your Eustachian tubes and balance pressure. This method is great for quick relief, especially during altitude changes like flying—keeping your ears from feeling blocked.
Sugar-free gum or candy works just as well, avoiding extra calories while easing symptoms. The constant chewing or sucking keeps the muscles around your ears active, promoting pressure equalization better than sitting still.
It’s simple, portable, and discreet, so you can manage congestion relief almost anywhere. In case your ears feel full or painful, give this a try—it could just be the easiest fix.
Applying a Warm Compress to the Affected Ear
Ever feel like your ear’s stuffed with cotton after a cold or flight? A warm compress on the affected ear can ease the discomfort by loosening congestion and promoting fluid drainage.
This simple, non-invasive home remedy helps reduce ear pressure and soothes inflammation in the Eustachian tubes.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Soak a washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it against your ear for 5–10 minutes.
- Repeat as needed—doing this a few times a day can speed up relief.
- Check the temperature—make sure it’s warm, not scalding, to avoid burns.
The warmth improves blood flow, easing blockage and discomfort. It’s a gentle way to tackle clogged ears without hassle.
Practicing Nasal Irrigation to Clear Blockages
Once your ears feel blocked after a cold or allergies, nasal irrigation can be a breakthrough—it clears out mucus and reduces swelling, helping your Eustachian tubes open up.
You’ll use a saline solution to flush nasal passages, which loosens gunk and soothes irritation. Mix distilled water with salt and a pinch of baking soda, or grab a pre-made kit for convenience.
Tilt your head over a sink, pour the solution into one nostril, and let it drain out the other. This washes away allergens and mucus that cause Eustachian tube dysfunction, easing ear discomfort and muffled hearing.
For best results, try regular nasal irrigation, especially during allergy seasons, to prevent buildup before it starts. Just avoid overdoing it—once or twice a day is plenty.
Using Gentle Ear Popping Techniques
You can try swallowing or yawning to naturally open your Eustachian tubes and relieve pressure.
In the event that doesn’t work, the Valsalva maneuver—gently blowing while pinching your nose—can help, but be careful not to force it.
Another option is the Toynbee technique, where you swallow while pinching your nostrils to encourage the tubes to open.
Swallowing or Yawning
Many simple, everyday actions can help clear a blocked Eustachian tube, and swallowing or yawning is one of the easiest ways to do it.
These natural techniques activate muscles around your ears, opening the Eustachian tubes to relieve pressure and equalize it with the outside air.
Here’s how to make them work for one:
- Swallow frequently – Chew gum or suck on candy to stimulate saliva production, which encourages swallowing and helps clear mucus buildup.
- Fake a yawn – Even though you’re not tired, a deep yawn stretches the muscles around your ears, easing congestion and ear discomfort.
- Try small sips of water – Sipping slowly forces more swallows, gently coaxing your Eustachian tubes to open.
These methods are quick, painless, and perfect for mild congestion.
Valsalva Maneuver Steps
One simple yet effective way to relieve ear pressure is the Valsalva maneuver—a technique that gently pops your ears by balancing inner and outer air pressure.
To do it, pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth, and blow gently through your nose for no more than 5 seconds. This increases air pressure in your middle ear, helping to equalize pressure in your Eustachian tubes.
It’s great for blocked ears during altitude changes, like flying or diving, but use caution to avoid discomfort or injury.
Should it not work after a few tries or causes pain, stop and try another method. The Valsalva maneuver offers quick relief, but always listen to your body.
Toynbee Technique Guide
In case the Valsalva maneuver didn’t quite do the trick, another gentle option is the Toynbee technique. This method uses your natural swallowing action to help open the Eustachian tubes and balance ear pressure, making it ideal for quick relief during altitude changes or at the onset of feeling clogged ears.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Pinch and Swallow: Gently pinch your nostrils closed, then swallow. The movement of your tongue (proper tongue movement) helps push air into the Eustachian tubes for pressure equalization.
- Stay Relaxed: Avoid forcing it. A soft swallow works better than a hard gulp to prevent barotrauma.
- Practice Often: It could feel awkward initially, but repeating the Toynbee maneuver can improve discomfort prevention over time.
Great for flights or dive trips, this simple trick keeps your ears happy!
