How To Unclog Ears At Home (Complete Guide)

Blocked ear can be caused due sinus infection, middle ear infection or due to accumulation of wax inside ear. Most people suffer from clogging due to earwax. There are many theories and practical approach to unclog ears at home. Clogging of ear can lead to dizziness, confusion in taking judgment, pain around back of your head and headaches. Fortunately there are some easy trick to unclog them naturally.

Sinuses and ear are connected together inside our brain. Hence, sometimes sinus attack can lead to blockage in ear canal or pain due to inflammation of sinus tissues.
Stuffiness and congestion are two other common causes of clogged ears. Typically it happens due to congestion or infection. Eating immune boosting food and use of humidifier can help you unclog your ears.

Ear that are clogged from water while swimming or taking bath will get unclogged naturally. However, if it is caused due to wax or infection then you must take action to unclog it. Therefore, if your baby got the infection then try using some baby’s ear infection home remedies to help them get rid of discomforts.

How Do You Know That Your Ear is Clogged or Blocked

Before we move on to the home remedies to unclog blocked ears, it is important to understand the common signs and symptoms of blocked ear.

• Unable to hear properly
• Feeling of heaviness
• Mild headache
• Confusion
• Difficulty in analyzing the floor
• Unable to walk properly
• Chronic ear pain
• Formation of pressure inside ear
• Secretion of pus (rare)

How To Unclog Ears Naturally

There are many ways to unclog ears at home. You must understand that blocking caused due to infection requires you to treat the infection first such as cold, flu or sinus. Home remedies are helpful in improving the condition and can unclog ears quickly.

Valsalva Maneuver

Also known as “Popping Your Ears”, is an effective way to unclog your ear. It is helpful in reducing pressure and provide relief from pain and inflammation.

• Take a deep breath and pinch the opening of your nose.
• Now apply pressure from chest and focus on your ears.
• Make sure to keep your lips closed tight together and never release air from mouth during the process.
• Also take precaution while applying the pressure.
• Don’t push too hard or it can cause problems with your eardrum.

Ear Candling

Ear candling is one of the controversial yet useful method to unclog ears quickly by removing wax. Many specialist claims that this method of treatment can cause permanent damage to your eardrums. However, there are other group of people who claims that it is one of the best method to remove wax and reduce the pressure. If done right, it can help you get rid of dizziness, clogging and improves hearing abilities.

Rub Some Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol behind your middle ear can open clogged ears. It dries out the fluid buildup and provide relief from pain. Alcohol is also found to be useful in reducing inflammation and fights back infection. Many people use alcohol for the treatment of infected ear piercing. It control the outbreak of bacteria and sterilize the wound.

• First of all wash your hands with antibiotic soap and pat dry.
• Apply few drops of alcohol behind your lobes and rub in circular motion.
• After rubbing it for 5 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water.
• Repeat this remedy 3 times in a day to open up blocked ear canals.
• It will also ease pain and discomfort.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar may unclog ears at home by drying out the infection. It is powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent which can inhibit viruses and bacteria from causing you any infection. Apple cider vinegar dries out the fluid buildup and relieves buildup pressure.

• Rinse your neck with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Apply few drops of unfiltered and organic apple cider vinegar on affected area.
• Rub the lower ear area for 5-10 minutes before wiping off the vinegar.
• Use this remedy 2 times in a day until your condition improves.

Warm Compress

Some times fluid buildup or infection not only clog your ears but also causes acute pain. Warm compress is an effective natural way to unclog ears fast. It help reduce inflammation, redness and pain. Warmness also regulates the amount of fluid buildup inside the canal. Rise in heat will increase the healing speed of infected tissues.

• Soak one cotton cloth in warm water.
• Wring out excessive water and place the warm compress on painful area.
• Repeat this process to open up the blockage.
• Use this remedy 3 times in a day until your condition improves.

Use Earplugs

Why Does My Ear Feel Clogged? did you asked this question after traveling from airplane. While traveling from airways many people suffer from pressure imbalance syndrome. It can build-up pressure inside your eustachian tube that may make you feel the sensation of heaviness and headache. People also use earplugs as jet lag home remedy to avoid any discomfort after landing.

Essential Oils

Using essential oil as ear drops can help you soften earwax and provide pain relief. Essential oils such as olive, baby oil, castor, coconut and sunflower oil are effective in fighting back infection and managing the pain.

• Pick the oil of your choice and warm it up.
• Put few drops on your skin to make sure that it is not too hot.
• With the help of an eyedropper, pour few drops of essential oil in clogged ear.
• Allow it to sit inside for 20-30 minutes then turn your head to remove them.
• You can use Q-tips to wipe-off residuals.
• Repeat this remedy until the blockage clear up on its own.

Ear Irrigation

Softening the wax can be the best and easiest way to remove blockage. Syringing is a technique in which fluid are injected inside the canal to remove wax. It is easy and can be done at home. However, if you can seek help of any health care professional then that would be more effective. Irrigation technique will cleanse your ear from inside and reduce blockage.

What Causes Clogging of Ears

Swimmer’s Ear: While swimming, few drops of water can enter inside the canal which is absorbed by wax and dirt. They causes blockage of air and may lead to pain. Moisture inside ear also increases the risk of infection. Therefore, always keep them dry with the help of Q-tips made with cotton.
Excess Earwax: Accumulation of dirt and secretion of natural oil can increase the amount of wax in your canal. They are magnet for bacteria and can lead to eardrum problems. Hence, clean them regularly and use plugs to avoid clogging due to dirt.
Airplane Ear: Also known as “Barotrauma of the ear” is caused due the difference of pressure inside the plane and environment. Due to sudden change of air pressure during the flight time – causes lots of problem to our body including blockage.
Otitis Media: This is very common condition among kids and adults. People suffering from otitis media tends to build up fluids in the middle of the ear. It also increases the risk of infection and causes dizziness and confusion.
Insertion of object inside Eustachian tube: People tend to put pencil or pen inside it while working or thinking. It can cause sever problem to the eardrum and may cause wounds inside the canal. Hence avoid inserting any random object.

How To Prevent Your Ear From Getting Clogged

• Take regular visit to get them irrigated from healthcare expert.
• Use plugs while swimming to prevent water from getting inside Eustachian tube.
• Put cotton plugs during cold to avoid blockage.
• Take your flu shots on time to prevent inflammation of sinuses.
• Perform head rotating exercise to neutralize the pressure.
• Remove wax once in a fortnight.
• Eat antibiotic foods to increase immune strength to fight infection.
• Make sure not to insert any sharp material or object.
• Avoid head injury.
• Avoid heavy weight lifting for a while.
• Blow your nose to clear air.

So now you know how to unclog ears at home with natural remedies. They are helpful in removing the feeling of blockage in most cases. People suffering from the clogging due to water or air pressure can start to feel better in 1 day. However, consult a profession if you hear ringing sound, constant dizziness and suffering from acute pain. Try to rotate your head when ever you feel the pressure. Sometimes rotating the head can be the quickest way to unclog ears. Eat healthy food and avoid inserting sharp objects. Take preventive steps and make sure to clean your baby’s ear regularly to avoid blockage.