You try to swallow hard and yawn but it’s no use, your ears are clogged and you can’t do anything about it. You’ve attempted opening your ear canal with your finger, popping your ears, and chewing gum. Hoping your ears will just unclog by themselves, at some point you may just give up. But if you have discharge, pain, or the signs of an ear infection, this would be an unwise idea.

A small passageway that links the middle ear to the space behind the nose and controls the pressure to the ears, called the eustachian tube, will become blocked if it remains open or closed for too long. The tube naturally closes and opens as you yawn or swallow, which you might notice by a crackling sound or pop in your ears. Normal hormonal changes cause the ear to remain open and viruses or ear infections will cause the ear to remain closed. Both issues will clear up with time, but it might take quite a long time for your ears to return to normal.

Another cause of plugged ears is buildup of earwax. This type of ear clog can be cleared with treatments, depending on the seriousness, this can be at home or at the hearing professional. When managing blocked ears, here are some suggestions:

Try Droplets of Hydrogen Peroxide in Your Ear

Hydrogen peroxide can be utilized to dissolve earwax clogs, but it must be put in your ear properly. Mixing the peroxide with luke warm water and using a dropper to carefully put it in your ear is the specialist’s suggestion. After you turn your ear upward and put the drops in, a few seconds should be sufficient to break up the wax blockage. Ultimately, the clog should clear up but you may need to repeat the process for several days.

Sticking Something into Your Ear is Never a Good Way to Clean it

This can’t be overstated: it will only make the situation worse if you try to use a cotton swab to clear your ears. Cotton swabs can cause total blockage by pushing the earwax into the eardrum. As a matter of fact, anything that is inserted in your ears could result in an earwax obstruction, and that includes hearing aids and earplugs. To lessen earwax accumulation, you should use cotton swabs only on your outer ear.

Pay Attention to Your Allergies

If you have allergies, it can make a blocked ear worse. Follow your doctor’s instructions concerning dealing with your allergies and don’t forget to take your medication. Unnecessary allergens should be definitely avoided during allergy season specifically but also the rest of the year.

Be Suspicious of Home Remedies That Sound Weird

You shouldn’t put a lit candle in your ear which should go without saying. Ear candling is an old technique of sticking a hollow candle into your ear and lighting it which is extremely unscientific. The thought is that the heat from the flame causes a vacuum which draws the earwax into the hollow space in the candle. This technique will probably cause more harm and probably won’t help at all. Remember, if it sounds strange you should consult an expert. Randomly trying things is a big danger to your hearing.

You should give us a call if your ears don’t clear up. Improper wax removal can lead to significant issues in your ears, like a ruptured eardrum or long-term hearing loss.