Blocked Ears

I had a really bad cold and while blowing my nose I think it might have done something to my ear, I hear a popping sound. Now I can not hear out of it (like my ear is blocked up) and it hurts. What can I do to make it better?
( 2 Apr 2009)

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The blocked ear has been caused by congestion in what is technically called the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the nose cavity and balances the air pressure between the two. Blowing your nose hard would have disrupted this balance and caused this problem. Curing your cold is the first logical step towards addressing your problem.

In the meantime, you can also try any of the following measures for relief:

Make a solution by mixing equal parts of cider vinegar and alcohol. Put a few drops of this solution into the affected ear and wait for some time. The vinegar kills any bacteria that might be growing inside the ear cavity, and the alcohol acts as a natural de-moisturizing agent, sucking dry traces of moisture that might encourage fungal growth.

Tilt your head and allow the solution to drip out. You can tap your ear lightly and pull your earlobe in different directions to make sure that all remanants of this solution are discharged. Before trying this remedy, however, please check with your doctor if you have a perforated eardrum. If so, do not follow this remedy.

In a similar way, you can also use a solution made with equal quantities of peroxide and water, and apply it into your ear till you hear a fizzing sound.

Yawning, swallowing and chewing are popular ways of releasing the build-up of air pressure in the ear canal, as they tend to equalize the pressure between the ear, the nose and the throat cavity. In severe cases, however, this alone might not be of great help.

Putting a few drops of mineral oil into your ear also helps.

Take a little olive oil and warm it in a pan. Lie down, put a few drops of the warmed oil into the affected ear and allow it to remain in by lying on your side. Stay in this position for 5 minutes before draining out the oill

Tightly pinch your nostrils close with your thumb and forefinger, and with the other hand press against the opening of the normal earr Now try blowing out air through your nose with your mouth held tightly shutt This often releases the pressure from the ear cavity, as it is the only opening through which air is allowed to pass in such a positionn

Another easy way to unclog blocked ears is to place the affected ear on a cylinder filled with hot waterr While doing this keep your head covered with a towell The steam from the hot water cleans up the ear cavity and balances out the pressure inside itt

answered by G M on 2 Apr 2009, 12:59:27

Blocked Ears

I had a really bad cold and while blowing my nose I think it might have done something to my ear, I hear a popping sound. Now I can not hear out of it (like my ear is blocked up) and it hurts. What can I do to make it better? ( 2 Apr 2009)

I had a really bad cold and while blowing my nose I think it might have done something to my ear, I hear a popping sound. Now I can not hear out of it (like my ear is blocked up) and it hurts. What can I do to make it better?
( 2 Apr 2009)