How to Open a Blocked Ear at Home — Safe, Simple Methods

A blocked ear can be annoying and even make you feel off balance. Often it’s caused by either trapped air in the Eustachian tube during flights or colds, or by earwax buildup. First, try simple, gentle actions that encourage natural opening. Swallow repeatedly, yawn, or chew — chewing gum or sucking a lozenge works well because it activates muscles that open the tube between your throat and middle ear. Try the Valsalva technique gently: pinch your nose closed, keep your mouth shut, and blow softly as if blowing your nose. The key is gentle pressure — never force it hard. If it pops, good. If it hurts, stop. A warm compress held over the ear for several minutes can soothe congestion and sometimes help equalize pressure. If the blockage is from fluid or congestion from a cold, using a saline nasal spray or inhaling steam for a few minutes may help clear the nasal passages and indirectly relieve ear pressure. For earwax-related blockages, avoid sticking anything into the ear canal. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops designed to soften wax, following package directions, or use a few drops of warm mineral oil or olive oil for a couple of nights to loosen the wax. After softening, gravity may help the wax come out naturally. If you have severe pain, dizziness, discharge, fever, or your hearing doesn’t improve after a couple of days, see a pharmacist or doctor. They can check whether the eardrum is intact and provide safe removal options like irrigation or microsuction. Also, if you’ve had ear surgery, ear tubes, or a known perforation, don’t put drops in the ear; seek professional advice. In short: try gentle swallowing and yawning, soft Valsalva if comfortable, warm compresses and steam for congestion, safe wax-softening drops if wax is likely, and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.