Blocked ears...

[CDailey]

You normally get this from flying with a head cold due to the pressure changes in the cabin, but I seem to have it from allergies or something. I've tried putting a paper towl in the bottom of a cup then pouring boiling water into the cup and soaking the paper towel then pouring the water out and letting the steam "sooth" your ear. This seems to have worked fairly well, but does anyone know any other methods?

 

[xXSilencerXx]

Man I've tried peroxide for that but it dosen't work. The only thing that has ever worked for me was waiting it out.

 

[Gil]

Swallow or yawn

 

[CDailey]

That never has a lasting effect. It clears up as I yawn, but when I'm done it goes back to being blocked I can never pop it when it's blocked, either. Only after I did that steam trick could I pop it.

 

[Joey D]

Ear drops work really well, I get like that all the time.

 

[CDailey]

Any specific kind, Blazin? I'll have to check that out...

 

[Joey D]

I have some from my doctor, I can't even remember what its called. But another thing to remember is when you sleep keep your head elevated or it will become worse.

 

[Gil]

Usually, for me, if I swallow or more often if I yawn, It changes the shape of my ear canal just enough to release the pressure.
Another thought, instead of the steam, try a blow dryer on low, with low heat across the ear.

 

[CDailey]

Thanks, Gil. I'll try that tomorrow. 👍

 

[VIPFREAK]

Same thing for scuba diving if I yawn I hear a crack but it helps relieve the pressure.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Try a heat pack, I used one of those, the heat probably lasts longer than steam from the cup, and you can't lay down with a hair dryer. (sly)

 

[Jay]

Once when I had a flight with a head cold one of the flight attendants gave me some eucalyptus oil to sniff, after awhile it helped, if it was steamed I think it would have helped alot more..

Heres is a quote from a website about it.

Control earache pain. When inhaled, a eucalyptus oil steam solution will prompt the eustachian tubes connecting the middle ear and the throat to open. Fluids will more easily drain from the ear as a result, relieving often painful pressure

 

[Zrow]

Step one: Hold nose shut.

Step two: Close mouth.

Step three. BLOW!

 

[CDailey]

Ooohh...Thanks for the blowdryer tip, Gil. It seemed to work better than the steam. 👍


edit: It quit working.

 

[TwinTurboJay]

warm olive oil in ear, cotton ball to plug the hole....

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Step one: Hold nose shut.

Step two: Close mouth.

Step three. BLOW!

I thought doing it that way could burst your ear drums?

 

[Gil]

I don't know if it would burst your ear drums, but it would be rather uncomfortable.

ITR: The hair dryer idea was one of my best.
If you just have fluid in your ear, pull the lobe down and out, and tilt your head to the affected side and wait for the fluid to run out.

If your ears are constantly blocked, you may have to bit the bullet and go see the ENT doc.

 

[CDailey]

They aren't constantly blocked. This has only happened to me one oehter time before during this summer. It lasted about 2 weeks and I really don't feel like waiting another 2 weeks for it to clear up. Although, it does seem to be getting better.

 

[Giancarlo]

I had the same problem because i have a cold, but ear drops cleared it right up.

 

[CDailey]

Maybe I can try some eardrops. I'll see if I can pick some up tomorrow.

 

[xXSilencerXx]

Step one: Hold nose shut.

Step two: Close mouth.

Step three. BLOW!

I've done that. It actaully works every once in while.

 

[Zrow]

Yeah, it can hurt, and it doesn't work all the time; it helps a little sometimes though.