Caution: Never blow too hard, as this can rupture your eardrum. The Toynbee Maneuver: Often considered safer than the Valsalva, this method uses your own muscles. Pinch your nose closed and take a swallow. Swallowing pulls the tubes open while the tongue movement compresses air against them. The Frenzel Maneuver: Pinch your nose shut and use your tongue to make a clicking or "K" sound in the back of your throat. This uses muscle contraction rather than lung pressure to equalize. The Lowry Technique: A combination of the above. Pinch your nose, then try to gently blow and swallow at the same time. Medical News Today +8 2. Natural Movements Sometimes the simplest jaw and throat movements are enough to trigger the tubes to open. Yawning and Swallowing: Force a wide yawn or swallow repeatedly. Drinking water or sucking on hard candy can help trigger the swallowing reflex. Jaw Flexing: Open your mouth wide or move your jaw from side to side and forward to backward to stimulate the surrounding muscles. The "Lobe Pull": Pinch your earlobes and pull them down and away from your head in a quick, fluid motion 10–15 times to encourage drainage. Medical News Today +7 3. Therapeutic Remedies If the physical maneuvers aren't working, environmental or medicinal help may be needed, especially if you have underlying congestion. Warm Compress: Hold a warm, damp washcloth against the affected ear for 5–10 minutes to help reduce inflammation and loosen fluid. Steam Inhalation: Drape a towel over your head and breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water (optionally with eucalyptus or lavender oil) to thin mucus in the Eustachian tubes. Decongestants and Nasal Sprays: Over-the-counter nasal sprays (like oxymetazoline) or oral decongestants (like Sudafed) can shrink swollen membranes, making it easier for ears to pop. Hydration: Drinking plenty of water keeps mucous membranes moist and functioning correctly. Mayo Clinic +4 When to See a Doctor While symptoms usually resolve within a few minutes or hours, you should consult a professional if: Symptoms like muffled hearing or fullness persist beyond
Pinch your nose shut and take a few sips of water, swallowing while your nostrils are closed. how to unpop your ears after a flight
In most cases, your ears will pop within an hour or two of landing. However, you should seek medical attention if: The pressure or muffled hearing lasts longer than . You experience severe pain or dizziness. You notice fluid or bleeding coming from the ear canal. You have a significant, sudden loss of hearing. How to Prevent it Next Time Caution: Never blow too hard, as this can
While these methods can help to alleviate Eustachian tube dysfunction, it's essential to take preventative measures to minimize the risk of ear problems during flights: Swallowing pulls the tubes open while the tongue
If you travel frequently and struggle with this, you might look into a device called an EarPopper (a clinical tool that balances ear pressure). For a DIY version at home, try "Otoventing"—this involves blowing up a balloon through one nostril while closing the other. It sounds silly, but it’s a medically recognized way to force air into the middle ear. When to See a Doctor
When the Valsalva maneuver is ineffective or ill-advised, several safer, low-force alternatives exist. The Toynbee maneuver combines swallowing with pressure: pinch your nose and swallow at the same time. The motion of the throat often pulls the tube open without the need for forceful exhalation. Another effective method is the Frenzel maneuver, which is like the Valsalva but uses the back of the tongue and throat muscles to press air upward, offering more control. For chronic cases, over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays (like oxymetazoline) can shrink swollen nasal tissues, opening the Eustachian tube’s entrance. Used 30 minutes before landing or after a flight, they can be a miracle cure—but they should not be used for more than a few days to avoid rebound congestion.