Apply a warm, damp washcloth to the affected ear for 5–10 minutes . The heat promotes drainage and can soothe ear pain.
A gentler alternative, this method combines swallowing with nose-pinching. Pinch your nose shut and then swallow several times. Swallowing naturally opens the Eustachian tubes, and the added pressure from pinching helps force air upward. This is often safer for those who are prone to over-pressurizing. how to clear ears when sick
Simply yawning widely or swallowing repeatedly (try chewing gum or sucking on hard candy) activates the muscles that control the Eustachian tubes. 2. Soothing Home Remedies Apply a warm, damp washcloth to the affected
Pinch your nostrils closed and take a few small sips of water to swallow. The combination of swallowing and the pressure change can help open the tubes. Pinch your nose shut and then swallow several times
For mild to moderate ear congestion, several simple maneuvers can often provide quick relief without the need for medication.
: Yawn widely, chew sugar-free gum, or move your jaw from side to side. These motions engage the muscles that naturally open the tubes. Amplifon Hearing Health Care +6 2. Loosening Mucus and Reducing Swelling If the tubes are physically blocked by thick mucus, pressure maneuvers may not work until the fluid is thinned. Liv Hospital 13 sites Ear Popping Advice and Information | Specsavers UK What causes ear popping? Put simply, our ears pop to equalise the air pressure either side of our eardrum. The reason our ears pop... Specsavers How to Get Rid of Fluid Behind Eardrum - Liv Hospital Mar 3, 2026 —
Take a hot, steamy shower or lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head. The warm, moist air helps loosen mucus in the nasal passages and ears.