Ears When Sick | How To Unclog Your

While the Valsalva maneuver (pinching your nose and blowing) works great for airplane pressure, it can backfire when you are sick. You are essentially forcing bacteria-laden mucus from your nose up into your already inflamed middle ear. This can turn a simple clog into a painful ear infection.

Don’t worry. You aren’t losing your hearing. You’re just dealing with , a very common side effect of colds, flu, and sinus infections. how to unclog your ears when sick

A muffled, clogged sensation, occasional pain, and a lot of frustration. The Golden Rule: Don't Force It Before we get to the fixes, a warning: Do not plug your nose and blow hard. While the Valsalva maneuver (pinching your nose and

Until then, try turning on subtitles. You’ll get through this. Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for persistent symptoms or severe pain. Don’t worry

Instead, breathe in that hot steam, chew some gum (the swallowing helps!), and give your immune system time to win the fight. Your ears will pop eventually—usually at the most random moment, like when you’re biting into a sandwich.

Suddenly, the world sounds like you’re listening through a pillow. Your own voice echoes in your head (a condition called autophony ), and you miss every other word of your TV show.