Everything was perfect. Our flight to Tokyo was on schedule, the airplane food tasted great, and even the landing was seamless. My dream vacation was finally here! And then it happened: the dreaded clogged ears. If you have ever flown, then you know the feeling. It is like someone pushed little balls of cotton deep into your eardrums, and it is far from pleasant.
When someone’s ears feel clogged and muffled, their discomfort could range from distractingly mild to unbearably painful. What is worse is that it could last long enough to keep you from fully engaging in your trip, whether it is listening to your co-workers at a business meeting or following along with your tour guide’s explanations.
Luckily, with our five tips below, you can learn how to remedy your clogged ears after a flight and even prevent it from happening in the future.
What to do if your ears are clogged
1. Blow with the traditional method (the Valsalva Maneuver)
While keeping your mouth closed, pinch your nostrils. Then, with everything shut, blow softly. This method will help equalize the pressure inside your Eustachian tubes, the region between your middle ear and throat, and the pressure outside your body. Remember not to blow too forcefully, which may damage your eardrums. As an added step, try swallowing a few times before repeating.
2. Sip water to equalize pressure (the Toynbee Maneuver)
Another way to help when your ears feel clogged is to sip on water while pinching your nose. This is similar to #1, but by drinking water, you help restore the airway between your ears and throat. As with the Valsalva Maneuver, remember to proceed gently to prevent further damage.
3. Loosen up earwax with olive oil or hydrogen peroxide
Often times your ears won’t pop after flights even after trying the above two methods. In this case, your ears may be filled with excess earwax that may have reacted adversely with changing air pressures during airplane trips. To relieve the pressure build-up, lie your head down with the affected ear facing up. Then, pour 4-5 drops of olive oil or hydrogen peroxide into your affected ear. Keep your head steady for up to 10 minutes, allowing the oil or liquid to loosen your earwax. Once 10 minutes is up, turn your head over and allow your affected ear to drain into a clean towel. Be sure to clean your outer ear canal of excess oil or liquid with a cotton pad or cloth. This method can be performed a couple of times a day until your ears are restored.
4. Draw fluid out with a warm compress
When your ears feel plugged after a flight, perhaps all you need is a warm cloth to draw out the fluid. Wet a clean cloth with warm water, wring out the excess water, then place it onto your ear. The warmth of the water will help release the fluids lodged inside your ear, which may be the cause of your ear’s pressure imbalance. Keep the warm compress at your ear until you feel the fluid drain from inside your ear.
5. Relieve pain and pressure with steam
Most people’s ears feel clogged but does not hurt. The unlucky ones, however, will experience pain with their clogged ears. In this situation, carefully place your head over a pot of gently boiling water. Then, hang a clean towel over your head to help create a tent over the pot. This will help accumulate the steam directly to your ears, which will loosen the tightness in your ears. As an added step, add a few drops of lavender oil or tea tree oil into the pot of water. The essential oils serve as pain relievers.
How to prevent your ears from clogging
Perhaps the best way to fix clogged ears is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Below are a few tips on how to do so.
1. Chew gum
Chewing gum, yawning, and sucking on a hard candy will keep your throat lubricated and will allow fluids to flow smoothly, balancing pressure in your Eustachian tubes.
2. Take a decongestant
Taking a decongestant, such as Sudafed, may help maintain pressure in your Eustachian tubes before your ear feels clogged. To allow the decongestant to work, take it one hour prior to your flight. Be sure to consult with your doctor before taking any medicine.
3. Wear earplugs during your flight
Wearing earplugs may help prevent clogging up your ears. These are very cheap and may even be offered by your airline. Ask your flight attendant if they have some new ones onboard.
Nobody wants to ruin the start of their perfect vacation with something as frustrating as clogged ears. But the reality is that most people’s ears feel clogged after getting off the airplane. The best step is to prevent it before happening and ensure not only your mind but also your ears are absolutely free to enjoy your trip.
