To unpop your ears, you can try several methods that help open the eustachian tubes, which equalize pressure in your middle ear. Here's a breakdown of techniques, drawing on common practices and expert recommendations:
Techniques to Unpop Ears
Here are several effective methods to try when you experience that frustrating "popped" or plugged-up feeling in your ears:
Yawning
- Action: Open your mouth wide as if you are yawning.
- Mechanism: Yawning helps to engage the muscles surrounding the eustachian tubes, encouraging them to open up and equalize the pressure.
Swallowing
- Action: Swallow repeatedly. You can try taking small sips of water while doing this.
- Mechanism: Swallowing activates the muscles that control the eustachian tubes, often prompting them to open and relieve the pressure.
Valsalva Maneuver
- Action: Gently pinch your nose shut, close your mouth, and then try to blow air out through your nose. Be gentle, as too much force can cause damage.
- Mechanism: This technique attempts to force air up into the eustachian tubes to equalize the pressure.
Toynbee Maneuver
- Action: Pinch your nose shut and swallow at the same time.
- Mechanism: Similar to the Valsalva maneuver, this forces air into the eustachian tubes, but using the swallowing action also helps to activate the muscles in that area.
Frenzel Maneuver
- Action: Close your mouth and your nostrils, then try to make a "k" or "g" sound. You will feel a very slight movement of your soft palate (the roof of your mouth).
- Mechanism: This maneuver uses tongue and throat muscles to subtly change the pressure behind the eardrum.
Chewing Gum
- Action: Chew gum vigorously.
- Mechanism: The act of chewing promotes constant swallowing, which, as noted above, helps open the eustachian tubes.
Other Helpful Tips
- Flying Tips: When flying, try these techniques during takeoff and landing, when pressure changes are most significant.
- Infants and Babies: For infants and babies, try nursing, using a bottle, or a pacifier to encourage swallowing and popping their ears.
Summary Table
| Method | Action | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Yawning | Open mouth wide | Engages muscles around eustachian tubes, encouraging them to open. |
| Swallowing | Swallow repeatedly | Activates muscles controlling eustachian tubes, promoting opening. |
| Valsalva Maneuver | Pinch nose, close mouth, and blow gently. | Forces air up eustachian tubes to equalize pressure. |
| Toynbee Maneuver | Pinch nose shut and swallow at the same time. | Forces air into eustachian tubes while activating muscles. |
| Frenzel Maneuver | Close mouth/nostrils, make "k"/"g" sound. | Uses tongue/throat muscles to change pressure behind eardrum. |
| Chewing Gum | Chew gum vigorously | Promotes frequent swallowing, aiding in eustachian tube opening. |
By employing these methods, you can usually relieve the discomfort of plugged ears quickly and efficiently.
