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Clogged ears are more common among children, yet they can affect anybody, at any age. This condition may be quite annoying and painful. It can happen because of multiple reasons such as excessive ear wax build up, change in altitude or an ear infection. Are you suffering from this trouble? If yes, don’t worry because in this article you will know how to get rid of clogged ears at home fast and naturally. Keep reading to discover these worth-trying ways!
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18 Worth-Trying Ways On How To Get Rid Of Clogged Ears Naturally At Home
I. Dos And Don’ts For Clogged Ears
1. Dos
- Try keeping your head up as much as you can, including while sleeping.
- Clean your ears frequently, and use a soft cloth to dry them after bathing.
- Stay in temperate environments: not too cold, not too hot.
- Consume lots of fluids to keep your mucus thin while sleeping.
2. Don’ts
- Don’t consume alcohol and avoid salty foods, caffeine, and tobacco.
- Don’t stick sharp objects in the ears, including the fingernails. Instead, use Q-tips sparingly.
- Don’t expose the ears to extreme temperatures. Don’t introduce boiling liquids to the ears.
- Don’t make needlessly fast movements. Don’t stand up or shake your head too quickly.
II. Must-Know Tips For Removing Clogged Ears
The following is the best and most effective ways to fix clogged ears.
1. Valsalva Maneuver
Valsalva maneuver[1] is a good way on how to get rid of clogged ears. It is helpful for relieving pain and stuffiness in the ear. All you need to do is closing your mouth and pinching both nostrils closed. Take a deep breath afterward and allow the air to out through your nose. If done correctly, you’ll hear a slight popping sound, meaning that the Eustachian tubes are reopened. But, don’t blow the nose too hard because it may cause damage to your eardrum.
2. Warm Compress
Using a warm compress is an ideal method for clogged ears related to sinus congestion or colds. The heat that the warm compress gives off will be perfect for loosening congestion, unclogging the ears, and alleviating the pain. You pick up a washcloth and soak it in warm water. Eliminate the excess water and hold this washcloth over your affected ear for about 5-10 minutes. You can also pick up a hot water bottle and wrap it in a thin towel. After that, start applying it to your clogged ear for roughly 5-8 minutes. It is helpful for removing the pressure and opening up the clogged ear.
3. Steam
One of the simplest methods to remove clogged ears related to cold is inhaling the steam. The steam helps to give you instant relief from clogged ears by thinning and loosening the mucus. It further aids in loosening earwax causing clogging. For this purpose, take a large bowl or plugged sink and pour hot steaming water in it. Add a couple of drops of lavender oil or tea tree oil to it. Use a towel to cover your head. Start inhaling gradually until the clogged ears open up. Besides, taking a hot shower for around ten minutes will help to alleviate clogged ears.
4. Yawning
You reduce the air pressure inside of the ears when you yawn. Yawning is also effective for activating the muscles that help to open the Eustachian tubes. Just open your mouth gently and then attempt to yawn until you feel a little pop inside the hair. Repeat if needed.
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5. Gargle
Gargling with a hot salt water solution will be beneficial for easing nasal congestion linked to clogged ears. You prepare one teaspoon of salt and one glass of warm water. Then, mix the salt in warm water and after that, gargle with this resultant solution for 15-30 seconds. Spit it out and follow this method regularly until you get immediate relief from the clogged ear.
6. Chewing Gum
If a clogged ear is caused by a sudden change in air pressure, try to chew gum. Chewing gum will help to open up the Eustachian tubes, which in turn relieves the excess pressure in the ears and open up clogged ears.
7. Ear Wash
Ear wash using warm water is an easy remedy that can aid in removing the wax and other impurities from ears and opening up a clogged ear. For this purpose, take a cup of water and warm up it. Use this warm water to fill an ear syringe. Tilt your head and later pull your earlobe. Start inserting the syringe gently in the opening of your ear. Ensure it is pointing slightly up and sideways. After that, push the bulb slightly to let the water enter your ear canal. After 10 minutes, tilt the head on the other side to let the water drain out.
8. Jaw Wriggle
This method is useful for unblocking the clogged ears. You can do the process of the wriggling jaw anywhere at any time. Moreover, it is helpful for opening up the clogged ears immediately. You need to wide open your jaws at first and later wriggle your jaws quickly in a regular motion. Try this tip while traveling by airplane or a few times a day.
III. Effective Home Remedies For Clogged Ears
Try out these natural cures and get relieved from clogged ears.
1. Olive Oil
How Does It Work
Olive oil softens the wax and makes it fall out easily. Plus, olive oil contains antibacterial properties that can help destroy the types of bacteria causing ear infections. According to a 2003 study[2], herbal ear drops having olive oil helped to decrease pain caused by an ear infection in children.
Way 1
You Will Need
- Warm olive oil
- A dropper
What To Do
Pure some warm olive oil into the dropper. Start pouring around three drops of this warm oil into your affected ears before sleeping. Sleep in such a manner that the clogged ears face upwards. It’s suggested to repeat this procedure three nights in a row. Use warm water to replace the oil to clean your ear on the fourth night.
Way 2
You Will Need
- Olive oil
- A pan
- A dropper
What To Do
Take little olive oil and warm up it in a pan for a couple of minutes. Let it cool until it’s warm enough and pour few drops of this oil into your clogged ear with a dropper. After 10-15 minutes, eliminate the soften wax gently with earbuds.
Note: If you suffer from perforated ear drum, avoid using olive oil and any other oil for getting rid of the wax.
2. Tea Tree Oil
How Does It Work
Tea tree oil works wonders in curing the infection in the ears owing to its antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from that, it consists of anti-viral and anti-bacterial abilities, which make it the best treatment to fight against sinus infection and any other respiratory infection.
Way 1
You Will Need
- Tea tree oil – few drops
- Boiling water – 1 glass
What To Do
To the glass of boiling water, add the tea tree oil and stir well. Then, tilt your head over this glass and let the steam enter your ear. This way will provide immediate relief.
Way 2
You Will Need
- Tea tree oil – several drops
- Warm olive oil – one tablespoon
What To Do
Dilute the tea tree oil with the warm olive oil and stir these oils well. Insert this mixture into your ear with the help of a dropper.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar & Rubbing Alcohol
How Does It Work
Apple cider vinegar is effective for ridding your body of the mucous. Also, it assists in curing the infection responsible for plugged ears due to its anti-bacterial properties. When combined with rubbing alcohol, it helps to drain out the fluid and break up the wax.
You Will Need
- Apple cider vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- A cotton pad
What To Do
Just mix the rubbing alcohol and apple cider vinegar in equal amounts. Pour the mixture into a bulb syringe or dropper. Keep your lugged ear upwards and then push the solution into it. After that, hold the cotton pad to your ear and turn your ear face downwards. Hold in the same position for several minutes. Repeat as needed.
Caution: This technique is not recommended for people having a history of ear surgery.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
How Does It Work
Hydrogen peroxide has earwax degrading capability that helps to relieve ear congestion caused by earwax build-up. It can be useful for clearing the wax and unblocking your ears.
You Will Need
- Hot water
- Hydrogen peroxide
What To Do
Pick up a cup and mix the hot water and hydrogen peroxide in equal amounts. Lie down comfortably and then pour several drops of this mixture into your affected ear. Leave it to work its manner through the wax. Turn your head and remove the entire substance once it is done.
Note: Don’t use the hydrogen peroxide in excess because it may cause harm to the ear drums.
5. Garlic Oil
How Does It Work
Garlic has been used to deal with ear-related infections since centuries. Garlic possesses antibacterial and antifungal abilities, which work better in curing infected ear canals. It can help to eliminate ear pressure congestion caused by excessive earwax. It doesn’t work for blocked ears caused by altitude changes.
Way 1
You Will Need
- Garlic cloves – 2
- Olive oil – one to two tablespoons
What To Do
Smash the garlic cloves at first and later heat them with the olive oil. Allow the oil to cool and afterward, pour 2-3 drops into your affected ear. After one minute, drain the ear. Following the process once will provide you with immediate relief from clogged ears.
Way 2
You Will Need
- Garlic cloves – 4 to 7
- Water – 1 glass
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
What To Do
Firstly, peel the skin of the garlic cloves and next, add them to the glass of water. Then, heat the mixture for approximately 15 minutes and strain these cloves. Make a paste by crushing the cloves and add the salt to it. Stir well. Place the paste into a thin cloth piece and wrap it. Start holding this compress against your affected ear for several minutes. Repeat the process twice to thrice a day. Salt absorbs the fluid or water present in the ear. It also combats the infection.
6. Glycerin
How Does It Work
Glycerin is beneficial for treating a clogged ear due to water. It helps to dry up the excess water, thus alleviating the excess pressure in the ear.
You Will Need
- Glycerin – few drops
- Warm water – ½ cup
What To Do
Mix the glycerin in the warm water. Then, pour 2-3 drops of this solution in your clogged ear with the support of a dropper. Keep the head tilted through this process. Allow the solution to stay for ten minutes before draining it. Repeat it if desired.
7. Basil Leaves
How Does It Work
Because they possess antibacterial agents, basil leaves help to relieve clogged ears caused by a sinus infection. Along with that, it is useful to calm the pain and cold.
You Will Need
- Basil leaves – 5 to 6
- A cotton ball
What To Do
Crush the basil leaves to extract their juice and soak the cotton ball in the juice. Start applying it to your ear along with its affected area. Do not put the juice into the ear canal. Try this remedy twice a day.
See more: 3 best ways to use castor oil for tinnitus treatment
IV. How To Prevent Clogged Ears?
There are many tried and tested natural tips to prevent the problem of clogged ears. For that, you need to make several changes in your lifestyle habits and around your home.
- Body position: It’s best to try and avoid sudden changes or jerks in the position of the body. For example, don’t suddenly stand up or shake your head.
- Bedroom Humidifier: It gives the required moisture to your sinuses which helps eliminate the pressure built up in the Eustachian tubes.
- Drink Fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids during the day is excellent for thinning the mucous in the nasal passage and preventing congestion in ears. When you eat salty foods and consume an excess of coffee, tea, and alcohol, they end up affecting the blood circulation and make your ear condition worse.
- Sit Under Hot Bathroom Shower: Sitting under a hot bathroom shower helps to get instant relief from the clogged ear problem. The steam produced can be ideal for clearing the ear canals and preventing them from drying out.
- Sinus-Related Problems: Sinus issues can get aggravated, that affects ears and nose. If it’s a freezing day, neglect the morning jog.
In conclusion, the above tips and remedies are highly effective in removing clogged ears. Be patient while following them. If you still have pain or clogged ears after trying these methods, see an ear, nose & throat specialist or a doctor immediately. Besides, you can also share your views or experience with us if you know other ways on how to get rid of clogged ears naturally at home. All of the contents provided in this article are for informational & educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you.
