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That post-flight "clogged" feeling is more than just annoying—it can be painful. Known medically as , it happens when the air pressure in your middle ear doesn't match the pressure in the cabin. While it usually resolves on its own, sometimes your ears need a little help getting back to normal. 1. The Best Techniques to Unblock Your Ears
—it is usually due to an imbalance between the air pressure in your middle ear and the environment. Here are the most effective ways to unblock them: 1. The Valsalva Maneuver This is the standard "pop" technique. How to do it: Pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth, and gently blow air through your nose as if you’re blowing into a tissue. Caution: Do not blow too hard, as this can damage your eardrums. 2. The Toynbee Maneuver This method uses swallowing to open the Eustachian tubes. How to do it: Pinch your nose shut and take several small sips of water. The combination of pressure and swallowing helps equalize the tubes. 3. Active Jaw Movement Moving the muscles around the Eustachian tubes can manually force them open. Yawning: Even if you aren't tired, force a wide yawn. Chewing & Swallowing: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or drink a beverage. The "Jut": Move your lower jaw forward or side-to-side while opening your mouth slightly. 4. Over-the-Counter Solutions If physical maneuvers don't work, inflammation might be the culprit. Nasal Decongestant Sprays: Using a spray (like oxymetazoline) can shrink the swelling in the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes. Oral Decongestants: Pills containing pseudoephedrine may help if you have significant congestion. Warm Compress: Holding a warm washcloth against the ear can soothe pain and help promote drainage. 5. The "Steam" Method Inhaling steam can help clear the passages connecting your ears and throat. How to do it: Lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head, or take a long, hot shower. When to see a doctor Most ear blockages clear up within a few hours. However, you should seek medical attention if: The blockage lasts for more than unblock ear after flight
Keep gum or hard candy handy. The muscle action of swallowing is the most natural way to open your Eustachian tubes. That post-flight "clogged" feeling is more than just
The best way to deal with a blocked ear is to stop it before it starts: The Valsalva Maneuver This is the standard "pop" technique
