That annoying plugged-ear feeling after a flight or a cold can drive you crazy, but simple moves could fix it fast. In case swallowing or yawning hasn’t worked, gentle techniques like pinching your nose and exhaling (the Valsalva maneuver) or sipping water while holding your nostrils closed (the Toynbee maneuver) can equalize pressure. There’s also jaw wiggling, gum-chewing, or even humming—each tricks your ears into popping open. Curious which one suits your situation?
Yawning to Open the Eustachian Tubes
As your ears feel blocked, yawning could be the easiest fix you’ve overlooked.
Whenever you yawn, it activates muscles around your Eustachian tubes, helping them open for pressure equalization. This natural process relieves that annoying fullness in your blocked ears.
Fake yawns work too—just mimic the motion to promote opening unless a real one doesn’t come. During altitude changes, like flights, yawning prevents barotrauma by keeping pressure balanced.
Even subtle shifts matter, so try gentle, controlled yawns instead of forcing them. For better ear health, practice yawning before and after activities that cause pressure shifts.
Stay patient; sometimes it takes a few tries to alleviate discomfort. Keep it natural—no need to strain. Simple, right?
Swallowing to Relieve Ear Pressure
Swallowing can quickly ease that plugged-up feeling in your ears. At the moment you swallow, your Eustachian tubes open briefly, helping to relieve pressure and unclog your ears. It’s a natural method that works well during flights or altitude changes. Sipping water or sucking on hard candy makes you swallow more often, boosting the effect. For extra help, try the Toynbee maneuver: pinch your nose and swallow to combine movements for better results.
| Tip | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Sip water | Encourages frequent swallowing |
| Use hard candy | Triggers swallowing reflex naturally |
| Toynbee maneuver | Combines nose-pinching and swallowing |
This simple trick keeps air pressure balanced, so your ears stay comfortable.
Performing the Valsalva Maneuver
To perform the Valsalva maneuver correctly, one will need to pinch their nose, close their mouth, and gently exhale to push air into their ears without applying too much force.
While it’s helpful for relieving pressure, doing it too hard can risk hurting your eardrum, especially in case you already have health concerns.
Should you be unsure or have conditions like high blood pressure, check with a doctor before trying it to avoid complications.
Steps to Perform Correctly
Should your ears feel blocked, especially during a flight or after diving, the Valsalva maneuver can help relieve the pressure quickly and safely.
Initially, take a deep breath and close your mouth. Gently pinch your nose shut with your fingers, then exhale softly as though you’re blowing air through your nose. This creates pressure that opens your Eustachian tubes, helping equalize the ear pressure in your middle ear.
Hold for about 10 to 15 seconds—don’t blow too hard, or you could hurt your eardrum. Should your ears stay clogged, wait a minute and try again. These techniques work best whenever done gently.
In case you have health concerns like high blood pressure, check with a healthcare professional initially. Stay patient, and don’t force it—your ears will thank you.
Potential Risks Involved
Though the Valsalva maneuver can help unblock your ears, doing it too forcefully or without caution comes with risks. The sudden pressure changes it creates can strain your Eustachian tubes or even damage your inner ear unless you’re careful.
Here’s what could go wrong:
- Eardrum rupture: Blowing too hard could tear your eardrum, especially since there’s already a block or infection.
- Blood pressure spikes: The maneuver temporarily raises pressure in your chest, which isn’t safe should you have heart issues.
- Inner ear complications: Aggressive attempts could lead to barotrauma, causing dizziness or hearing issues.
- Worsening blockages: Should your Eustachian tubes be inflamed, forcing them open may backfire.
Always seek medical advice should you be unsure—playing it safe beats potentially serious complications.
When to Avoid It
The Valsalva maneuver isn’t for everyone—some situations make it riskier than it’s worth. Should you have high blood pressure, avoid it, as the sudden pressure spike could strain your cardiovascular system. Those with a history of stroke or heart issues should skip it too, since the maneuver stresses your heart.
Should you’ve been diagnosed with arrhythmias, it may disrupt your heartbeat, so play it safe. Forceful attempts can even cause an eardrum rupture, so always be gentle.
At the time of consultation, consult your doctor—they’ll help you decide whether it’s safe for you. Stay cautious and listen to your body; there are other ear-clearing methods should this one feel risky. Your safety matters more than quick relief.
Trying the Toynbee Maneuver
Should your ears feel blocked during a flight or after a sudden change in altitude, the Toynbee Maneuver could assist. This simple technique helps equalize ear pressure by opening your Eustachian tubes, relieving ear discomfort caused by altitude changes.
Here’s how to do it:
- Pinch your nostrils gently to seal them shut.
- Take a sip of water or mimic swallowing to activate the muscles around your Eustachian tubes.
- Swallow while keeping your nose pinched—this creates pressure changes that can pop your ears open.
- Repeat as needed until you feel relief, especially during descent.
The Toynbee Maneuver is one of the easiest techniques to open clogged ears, and it’s discreet enough to use anywhere.
In case swallowing alone doesn’t work, try it with water to boost effectiveness.
Using the Frenzel Maneuver
Should the Toynbee Maneuver not quite do the trick, the Frenzel Maneuver could be your next best bet for clearing blocked ears—especially in case you’re managing stubborn pressure changes during diving or flying.
To try it, pinch your nostrils closed, then seal the back of your throat like you’re holding your breath. Now, make a “K” sound gently, which pushes air toward your Eustachian tubes without straining.
Unlike the Valsalva Maneuver, this method uses your throat muscles more precisely, lowering the risk of discomfort. It takes practice, but once you master it, you’ll equalize pressure more smoothly.
Start slow, and don’t force it—gentle repetition helps your body adapt. Soon, those frustrating ear blocks won’t stand a chance.
Chewing Gum or Moving the Jaw
Should your ears feel blocked during a flight or drive through the mountains, try popping a piece of gum in your mouth—it’s one of the easiest ways to help your ears adjust. Chewing gum encourages jaw movement, which stimulates your Eustachian tubes to open and equalize ear pressure. The act of swallowing, triggered by chewing, also helps clear blockages and reduces that uncomfortable fullness.
Here’s why it works:
- Chewing gum keeps your jaw moving, activating muscles around the Eustachian tubes.
- Swallowing more often helps balance pressure, especially during altitude changes.
- Increased saliva production from gum makes swallowing easier, preventing ear popping.
- It’s a preventative measure—start chewing before pressure builds to avoid discomfort.
Simple, right? Next time, grab gum before takeoff or that steep climb.