The warm, moist air helps soothe the ear canal and can help stubborn tubes "relax" open. 5. Use an OTC Decongestant
Pinch your nose shut and take a few small sips of water (or just swallow your saliva). how to unpop ears after a flight
Even a "fake" yawn can work. Try to open your mouth wide enough to feel that stretch in the back of your throat. The warm, moist air helps soothe the ear
Taking a pill like Sudafed can help shrink the membranes in the Eustachian tubes, making it easier for them to open. 6. Apply a Warm Compress Even a "fake" yawn can work
Getting off a plane with "airplane ear" is a common, albeit annoying, rite of passage for travelers. This happens because the air pressure in your middle ear can't keep up with the rapid changes in the cabin during ascent and descent, causing your eardrum to stretch. If you’re stuck with that muffled, pressurized feeling after landing, here are the most effective ways to clear it. The Gentle Fixes The simplest way to unpop your ears is to engage the muscles that control your Eustachian tubes—the tiny passages connecting your middle ear to your throat. Yawn or Swallow: This is the gold standard. Even a fake yawn can trigger the tubes to open. Chew and Sip: Chewing gum or drinking water forces repetitive swallowing, which helps equalize pressure naturally. The Toynbee Maneuver: Pinch your nose shut and take a few sips of water. The combination of suction and swallowing is often enough to break the pressure seal. The Targeted Techniques If swallowing isn't cutting it, you may need a bit of controlled pressure. The Valsalva Maneuver: Pinch your nostrils, close your mouth, and blow gently through your nose as if you’re blowing into a tissue.