Simple Home Remedies To Get Rid Of A Clogged Ear

Besides being irritating, a clogged ear can be quite a painful condition. Clogged ears can affect people of all ages, but it most commonly occurs among children, especially when they have colds. It is an annoying condition that causes discomfort and pain and even affects your hearing. Usually, the ears become clogged when the ear canal gets blocked or due to an imbalance of pressure in the Eustachian tubes.

Symptoms of a clogged ear include reduced hearing capacity, a popping sensation in your ear, a windy sound inside the ear, and a feeling of having mucus or liquid within the ear.

Main Causes Of A Clogged Ear

• Water
• A cold or a sinus infection
• Allergies
• Changes in altitude and pressure
• Accumulated dirt and wax
• Blockage in the Eustachian tubes of the inner ear

Fortunately, there are many natural methods to unclog ears. Each remedy works for different causes that lie behind the ear clogging. So, a solution recommended for unclogging the ear will only work for certain causes. Hence, it is important to ascertain the root cause of the problem and then take appropriate treatment. Here are simple home remedies to solve the problem of a clogged ear.

1. Valsalva Maneuver

You can easily get rid of clogged ears by doing the Valsalva maneuver, which helps relieve stuffiness and pain in the ear.

Instructions

1. Close your mouth and pinch your nostrils closed with your fingers, then take a deep breath.
2. Blow air out of your nose to regulate the air pressure. If done correctly, you will hear a slight popping sound, which means the Eustachian tubes are open again.

Note: Don’t blow your nose too hard as it may cause damage to the eardrum.

2. Olive Oil

If the ears are clogged due to wax build-up inside the ears, you can use olive oil, which helps soften ear wax so it can be removed easily.

Instructions

1. Warm some pure olive oil.
2. Use a dropper to insert a few drops of the lukewarm olive oil into the affected ear.
3. Allow it to remain for 10 minutes to soften the earwax.
4. Tilt your head sideways and gently remove the oil and ear wax with ear buds.

You can also use baby oil or mineral oil instead of olive oil.

3. Alcohol And Apple Cider Vinegar

A combination of alcohol and apple cider vinegar can destroy any bacterial infection that may be causing clogged ears.

Instructions

1. Mix equal amounts of alcohol and apple cider vinegar.
2. Lie down on your side and use a dropper to insert a few drops of this mixture into the affected ear.
3. To keep the mixture from spilling out, place a cotton ball in the ear and do not raise your head.
4. Rest for 5-10 minutes.
5. Gently remove the earwax with an ear bud.
6. If the other ear is also clogged, repeat the process with the other ear.

Note: Perform this process one ear at a time.

4. Warm Compress

A warm compress is an excellent natural treatment for clogged ears associated with colds or sinus congestion. The heat from a warm compress helps clear the congestion, unclog the ear and reduce the pain.

Instructions

1. Soak a washcloth in warm water, wring out the excess water and then hold the washcloth on the affected ear for 5-10 minutes. This will help reduce the pain and promote fluid drainage.
2. Alternatively, you can wrap a hot water bottle in a thin towel and place it on the clogged ear for 5-10 minutes to relieve the pressure and clear the clogged ear.

5. Steam Inhalation

Inhaling steam is a simple method to clear clogged ears resulting from a cold. The steam helps to thin and loosen the mucus, which in turn provides relief from clogged ears. Steam can also help loosen earwax that causes clogging.

Instructions

1. Pour hot steaming water in a large bowl.
2. Add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender essential oil to it.
3. Lean over the bowl and cover your head and the bowl with a towel.
4. Inhale the steam slowly until the clogged ear opens up.
5. A 10-minute hot shower can also relieve clogged ears.

6. Hydrogen Peroxide

You can use hydrogen peroxide to unclog ears blocked by wax accumulation.

Instructions

1. Using a dropper, insert two drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear.
2. You will hear fizzing within a few minutes.
3. Wait for 10 minutes or until the fizzing stops.
4. Then, tilt your head to allow the solution and earwax to drain out.

Note: Do not use hydrogen peroxide in excess as it can harm the ear drums.

7. Gargling Warm Salt Water

Gargling with warm salt water is another effective way to get relief from a congested ear caused by an ear infection. The salt water helps to unblock the Eustachian tubes.

Instructions

1. Mix one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.
2. Rinse your mouth and gargle for 15-20 seconds.
3. Spit it out and repeat the process until the clogged ears are cleared.

8. Garlic Oil

Garlic oil is another natural anti-bacterial remedy to unclog the ears. The warm garlic oil helps to loosen the congestion in the ear and the garlic kills any infection-causing germs.

Instructions

1. Mash two cloves of garlic and put the crushed garlic in a saucepan with 5 tablespoons of olive oil.
2. Warm for 10-15 minutes over very low heat to allow the beneficial properties of the garlic to infuse into the oil.
3. Once it cools down to skin temperature, use a dropper to insert a few drops into your ear for 1 minute to help loosen any blockage or wax and helps relieve pain.
4. Drain the oil out by tilting your head and by using an earbud.

Tips To Unclog Your Ears

• Use a humidifier in your bedroom. This provides the sinuses with the much-needed moisture and can relieve the pressure in your Eustachian tubes.
• Sit in the bathroom with the hot shower turned on so that it produces steam. The steam helps clear the ear canals and prevents them from drying. Dry ears can make the body over-produce ear wax, which leads to an excess wax build up in your ear canals.
• Sinus-related problems can worsen in extreme temperatures. If you feel your nose and ears are playing up, skip the morning jog on a freezing day.
• Avoid sudden changes in body position, which can cause dizziness and keep your head up. Don’t shake your head or stand up too fast.
• Drink plenty of fluids to thin the mucus in the nasal passages and prevent ear congestion. Avoid alcohol, too much tea and coffee, tobacco, and very salty foods. They can affect the blood circulation and further worsen the condition.