How to Unclog Ears: 8 Simple Tips

How to unclog the ears may involve simple methods such as yawning, chewing gum, drinking water, holding the nose while swallowing, or gently cleaning the outside of the ear. These techniques can help balance pressure in the ear or remove excess ear wax.

Clogged ears can happen due to pressure changes during air travel or diving, water trapped in the ear, excess ear wax, colds, sinusitis, ear infections, or labyrinthitis. Other at-home options for how to unclog ears may include using a warm compress, tilting the head to drain water, rinsing the nose with saline, or doing steam inhalation.

Medical evaluation is recommended when clogged ears happen with hearing loss, dizziness, ear pain, discharge, fever, fluid or pus, or loss of balance. These symptoms may be related to an ear infection or a perforated eardrum and should be checked by an ENT specialist.

How to open a blocked ear at home

Some ways to unclog ears include:

1. Yawning several times

Yawning helps air move through the ear canals, which can balance pressure and help unclog the ear.

To do this, simply imitate a yawn with your mouth and look up toward the ceiling. You may hear a small popping sound inside the ear while yawning, which can mean the ear is decompressing. If this does not happen, repeat the process for a few minutes.

If you have trouble yawning on command, try opening your mouth as wide as possible and breathing through your mouth, moving air in and out.

2. Chewing gum

Chewing gum activates several facial muscles and can help rebalance pressure inside the ear canals.

This simple technique can help relieve clogged ears and may also help prevent ear pressure during air travel, for example.

3. Drinking water

Drinking water can help activate facial muscles and equalize pressure in the ears.

Take a sip of water, hold your nose, tilt your head slightly back, and swallow. This combination of muscle movement and reduced airflow through the nose can help adjust ear pressure and ease the sensation of fullness.

4. Holding your breath

Another way to help open your ear canals and balance the pressure is to take a deep breath, pinch your nose shut, and gently try to blow air out through your nose while keeping it closed.

5. Applying a warm compress

This technique works best when ear pressure is caused by the flu or allergies, but it can also be tried in other situations. Simply place a warm compress over the ear and leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes.

The heat from the compress helps widen the ear canals, allowing them to drain and helping balance pressure.

6. Tilting your head to the side

Tilting your head to one side can help drain water that may enter the ear during bathing or swimming in a pool, ocean, or bathtub. This simple movement can help relieve a blocked or clogged sensation.

To do this, tilt your head toward the side of the clogged ear and lower it toward your shoulder. Then, pull or move the earlobe to help the water drain out.

7. Rinsing the nose with saline

Rinsing the nose and sinuses with 0.9% saline solution helps remove excess mucus from the airways by making it thinner and easier to clear. This can relieve ear pressure and the feeling of a blocked or clogged ear caused by sinusitis.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nasal irrigation devices use saline solution to help treat congested sinuses, colds, and allergies, and are generally safe when used and cleaned properly.

To rinse the nose and sinuses, fill a sterile syringe without a needle with 10 to 20 mL of 0.9% saline solution. Lean forward with your face over the sink and tilt your head to one side. Place the tip of the syringe at the entrance of one nostril and slowly press, allowing the saline to flow through the nasal passage and come out through the other nostril.

Keep your mouth open and breathe through it during the rinse. Avoid inhaling the saline, and gently blow your nose afterward.

8. Doing steam inhalation

Inhaling steam from water helps hydrate, moisten, and relax the airways. It can also help clear mucus from the nose and sinuses, relieving pressure or the feeling of a clogged ear caused by sinusitis, rhinitis, colds, or nasal congestion.

To perform steam inhalation, pour boiling water into a bowl and place it on a stable surface. Lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head to trap the steam. Breathe in the steam for 5 to 10 minutes.

Keep your face at a safe distance from the water to avoid burns.

Steam inhalation is not recommended for children under 7 years old. In children over 7 years old, steam inhalation should always be done with adult supervision, as there is a serious risk of burns.

How to remove ear wax

To clear clogged ears from ear wax, let water run in and out of the ear during a bath or shower, and then clean the outside of the ear with a towel.

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, cotton swabs and other small objects should not be placed in the ear, as they can injure the ear canal or eardrum. 

After trying this 3 times, see an ENT specialist if the ear is still clogged. Professional ear cleaning may be needed.

When to see a doctor

Although ear pressure often improves with home care, some symptoms should be checked by a doctor.

See an ENT specialist or go to the hospital if you have:

• A feeling of pressure in the ear that does not improve after a few hours or gets worse over time

• Fever

• Ear pain

• Fluid or pus coming out of the ear

• Dizziness

• Hearing loss or decreased hearing

• Loss of balance

In these cases, the discomfort may be caused by an ear infection or even a perforated eardrum. For this reason, medical guidance is very important.