How To Naturally Get Rid of Clogged Ears

If you feel like your ears are stuffed with cotton, then you are dealing with clogged ears. It is a very uncomfortable situation to deal with.Discover how to get rid of clogged ears naturally by using some the awesome natural remedies.

It happens either because of the inflammation or because of a blockage in the ear tubes that connect the middle ear to the back of the throat.

There are many reasons for clogged ears. However, there are also many ways you can cure it at home.

Causes for clogged ears:

• Ear wax
• Cold
• Blocked nose
• Allergy/ Infection in the ear
• Collection of water in the ear
• Sinus infection
• Popping sensation in the ear
• Changes in the atmosphere
• Affect in hearing capacity

Symptoms For Clogged Ears:

• Itchiness in the ear
• Losing balance or having dizzy sensation
• Discharge or bleeding from within the ears
• Trouble in hearing
• Ringing sounds in the ears
• Acute earache

There are different methods to treat different causes for clogged ears. It is highly advisable to know the reason behind clogged ears to follow proper remedy to reap maximum benefits.

Here are the following remedies!

Home Remedies To Get Rid of Clogged Ears

A.Clogged Ears Because Of Sinus Infection

If you have clogged ears because of infections, then follow the following remedies. Sinus infections are most of the times the reason behind clogged ears.

1.Rubbing Alcohol and Apple Cider Vinegar

This is one of the most effective ways for treating clogged ears as it dissolves the mucus and eliminate it from the body.

It also has antibacterial properties which help in healing other infections that cause mucus to build up and clogged ears.

You need:

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Cotton Pad
• Rubbing alcohol
• Squeezable bottle or a dropper

How to:

• Take apple cider vinegar and rubbing alcohol in equal quantities. Put this solution into a squeezable bottle or a dropper.
• Then lie down on the side which does not has clogged ear, keeping the clogged ear upwards. Put this solution in the ear.
• Cover it with the cotton pad and turn your sides by keeping the clogged ear downwards.
• Remain like this for some time. It will help to drain out the mucus.
• You can also use normal vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.

2.Making a nasal spray

You can also make a saline nasal spray decongest your clogged ears. A sinus infection may cause inflammation, use this spray to not only unclogging the ears but also your nose.

You need:

• A cup of clean water
• Half a teaspoon of baking soda
• Quarter to half a teaspoon of non-iodized salt
• A pan
• A jar with a top
• Squeezable bottle or a dropper

How to:

• Bring water to a boil to kill germs and sterilize it. Let it cool down to room temperature.
• Then, pour it into a jar or a sterilized container.
• Add the baking powder and non-iodized salt to the water and mix it well.
• Put this solution in a dropper or a squeezable bottle. Tilt your head at an angle of 45˚ and squeeze the solution gently in one of the nostrils.
• Let the solution drain from your nose or mouth.  Spit if any solution is there in the mouth.
• Blow your nose gently to clear the nostril then do the same with the other nostril.
• You can do this twice or thrice a day. This solution will remain good for about two days.

3.Garlic

Garlic being antibacterial and antibiotic helps in unclogging the ears. And, also clears the infection.

You need:

• 2-4 garlic cloves
• One tablespoon of oil like mustard, olive, etc

How to:

• Crush the garlic cloves after peeling the skin. Add the oil and heat it for some time.
• Let it cool down. Then pour this mixture in the clogged ear and lie down with the clogged ear facing downwards.
• Hold it using a cotton pad. After some time, let the mixture drain out.
• Do this daily.
• There is also an alternative method.

You need:

• 4-6 garlic cloves
• Half a teaspoon of salt
• One glass of water
• A thin, smooth cloth

How to:

• Peel off the skin of the garlic cloves. Then heat it in water for 15 minutes.
• Then turn off the heat and take out the cloves. Crush them. Add salt to it and mix it well.
• Apply this paste on the cloth and wrap it around the clogged ear tightly for a couple of minutes.
• Do this twice a day.

4.Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has many medicinal properties. It is antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic.

All these properties of tea tree oil help in clearing the clogged ear and curing the infection in the ear.

You need:

• A few drops of tea tree oil
• A glass of hot water

How to:

• Mix the drops in the glass of hot water. Put your clogged ear on the glass to let the steam enter your ear.
• This will give you quick relief.
• There is also an alternative method.

You need:

• A few drops of tea tree oil
• A tablespoon of warm olive oil
• A dropper

How to:

• Mix tea tree oil with warm olive oil and pour it in the dropper.
• Use the dropper to put this solution in the clogged ear. Use only a small quantity.
• This will help you decongest and will drain the mucus.

5.Gargling

Gargling is one of the most popular ways of unclogging ears and nose. It also helps with a cough and cold.

You need:

• A teaspoon of salt
• A glass of warm water

How to:

• Mix salt in warm water. Start putting this water in your mouth and gargle for as long as you can.
• Spit the water out. Do not swallow it. Repeat it till the water is finished.
• Do this thrice a day.

B.Clogged Ears Because Of Pressure

You can also get clogged ears because of the unequal pressure from the inside and outside of your eardrums. Follow the following remedies to unblock your ears.

Following are some of the best way to unclog ears after flying.

1.Valsalva Maneuver

It is a process in which an action occurs when you try to exhale with your nostrils by closing your mouth.

This increases the pressure in the middle ear and chest. It helps in unclogging the ears.

How to:

• Close your mouth and press your nose.
• Then try to blow through your nose till you hear a pop sound in the ear.
• After you have done this, open your mouth and nose.
• Do not blow too hard and you may end up damaging your ears.

2.Jaw jiggle

This is a simple and effective method to unclog the ears. You can do this anywhere, anytime.

How to:

• Open your mouth out wide.
• Then, jiggle your jaws with the mouth opened from side to side in a quick movement.
• Keep doing it until you hear a pop sound in the ear.

3.Otovent

This is another effective way of unclogging the ears. All you need is a small balloon for trying this method.

How to:

• Take the small balloon and place it under one of the nostrils.
• Close the other nostril and inhale through your mouth.
• Then exhale from the nostril which has the balloon.
• Keep exhaling until the balloon is inflated.
• Do the same with the other nostril.
• Do this daily.

4.Toynbee Maneuver

This is yet another simple and effective method by using water.

How to:

• Just have some water and close your nose and mouth. Then swallow the water.
• It helps to unclog the ears by balancing the pressure.
• Do this as and when needed.

5.Hopping on foot

If you get water in your ears while swimming or during a shower, hopping on one foot is a great way to let it out.  It is helpful as it uses gravitational force.

How to:

• Tilt your head to the ear clogged side and stand on one foot.
• Hop on one foot in the same posture of the head.
• Be like this until the water gets out or you get relief.
• There is another alternative method.

How to:

• Lie down on the bed with having your clogged ear on the pillow.
• Stay like that for 15 minutes.
• This will help in draining out the water or any fluid trapped in the ear.
• You can do this whenever necessary.

C.How To Unclog Ears From Wax

It is very important to clear your ears from earwax for proper ear functioning and good hearing.

Sometimes it happens that while clearing the earwax, it ends up being pushed into the ear canal. This gives you clogged ears.

Follow the following remedies to unclog the ears.

 1.Olive Oil

When the wax stuck in your ear gets hardened, olive oil helps to soften it so that it can come out from the ear easily.

You need:

Olive oil

How to:

• Fill a dropper with warm olive oil. Drop a few drops in the clogged ear before sleeping.
• Keep your clogged ear in the upward direction.
• Repeat it for three nights straight. Then, on the fourth night, use water instead of olive oil to clean your ear.
• There is also an alternative method.

You need:

• Q-tips
• A dropper
• Olive oil

How to:

• Warm the olive oil for a few minutes and allow it to cool down.
• Pour this oil in the dropper and insert a few drops in the clogged ear.
• Let it be there for 15 minutes then use a Q-tip to clean out the wax.

Note:

You can also use baby oil or mineral oil.Do not use any oil for cleaning the earwax if you have perforated eardrums.

2.Warm Squeeze

Getting the heat to the earwax also helps in softening it. It also helps in decongestion. Do not make the ear too hot. It should be comfortable.

You need:

• A clean, smooth cloth
• An iron

How to:

• Heat up a cloth by ironing it.
• Put the warm cloth against the clogged ear until the cloth is cooled.
• Keep repeating for 15 minutes.
• Or you can lie down on the bed by placing the cloth underneath your clogged ear.
• There is also an alternative method.

You need:

• A smooth, clean cloth
• Hot water

How to:

• Steep the cloth in the hot water.
• Take it out and squeeze the extra water from the cloth.
• Put this cloth against the clogged ear. Let it be there for 10 minutes.
• Then use your hand and rub your ear.
• If you have a hot water bottle, you can also use it.
• Fill it with hot water and wrap the cloth around it.
• Put it on the clogged ear.

 3.Steam

Steaming is a good way to unclog the ears and loosen the mucus.

You need:

• A big bowl
• Hot water
• A wrap
• Any essential oil

How to:

• Have the bowl filled with hot water?
• Add a few drops of any essential oil you like.
• Example: lavender, tea tree, jasmine. Mix well.
• Keep your head on the bowl and wrap it with a towel so that the steam does not go out.
• Keep inhaling it until you get unclogged ears.

4.Homemade Earwax Removal

You need:

• Half a cup of warm water.
• A few drops of glycerin or mineral oil
• A squeezable bottle or a dropper

How to:

• Mix warm water and glycerin or mineral oil well.
• Lie down on the bed with your clogged ear facing upwards.
• Pour this solution in the ear using a dropper or a squeezable bottle.
• Let it be there for 10 minutes.
• Then tilt your head to drain out the solution from the ear.
• Take the help of your hand to drain completely out the water by pulling the ear lobe.

Note:

• Do not do this for more than thrice a day.
• If the ear is clogged because of an infection, do not try this.
• Consult your doctor if you have greenish or yellowish discharge.

5.Hydrogen peroxide To Remove Ear Congestion

It is another great way for clearing the ear wax. However, do not overdo its usage.

You need:

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• A cloth
• A dropper

How to:

• Take 2-4 drops of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and put in a dropper.
• Drop it in the clogged ear. You will hear a fizzy sound within a couple of minutes.
• This is the sound of dissolving wax.
• Let it be there for 10 minutes or until the fizzy sound stops.
• Now tilt your head to drain out the solution and the ear wax. Use the cloth to clean the ear.
• Repeat this twice or thrice if necessary.

Tips To Prevent Clogged Ears:

• Clean your ears daily.
• If you have a cold or respiratory infection, avoid diving and swimming.
• Take hot foods like jalapeno, garlic, chilies to relieve your congestion.
• Have warm soups, tea or coffee to soften the mucus.
• Take a warm shower to unclog the ears.