Plugged ears are a very common, yet painful problem, which can affect people of all ages. Some of the most common plugged ears causes include the growth an buildup of wax, allergies, ear infections, high altitude, Eustachian tube dysfunction, air pressure, lodging of foreign objects, fluid build up, inflammation and the common cold. In some cases, the problem lasts for a short while and gets resolved on its own; however, in case the problem occurs from infections or an inflammation, it may be best to seek medical treatment. However, in some instances, it would be possible to use a simple plugged ears home remedy, to remove the blockage. Given below are a few techniques on clearing out plugged ears:
Wax Remedies
In case you are suffering from ears that seem to be blocked, it is quite likely to be a result of excessive wax buildup in your ears, as this is normally the most ordinary plugged ears causes. There are some people who use ear buds to get rid of the water in their ears, after taking a shower. This practice keeps the ears from drying out naturally, since the wax can get mixed with the water, thereby worsening the problem. Hence, ear buds should be strictly avoided, for removing wax from the ears. Instead, most people claim that hydrogen peroxide is an excellent plugged ears wax remedy and is also quite easy to use. Using a dropper pour a few drops of diluted hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear, after lying down on one side, with the affected ear facing up. After a couple of seconds you may hear a bubbling sound, which is absolutely normal. Wait for the sound to subside and then turn over, so that the hydrogen peroxide flows out, taking pieces of the wax with it. Other effective remedies for earwax include warm olive oil or ginger juice mixed with sesame oil.
Cold Remedies
When suffering from a cold, you may also feel your ears getting blocked. In order to relieve this discomfort, the best home remedy is steam. Since the ear and nose are connected, the steam will not only relieve your cold, but will also unblock your ears automatically. Boil some water and allow it to cool for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then, cover your head with the large and thick towel and bend over the pot of water, so that you can inhale the steam. You could also add some eucalyptus oil, to help clear out the nasal passages sooner. Using a decongestant is also very effective in case of plugged ears caused by cold or allergies.
Air Pressure Remedies
Most people feel their ears getting blocked, when traveling by flight, or even while taking the lift to a high floor. The pressure in ears can easily be relieved by yawning, swallowing, or chewing some gum. When traveling by flight, most doctors advise parents to feed little babies during take off, so that the sucking motion prevents the ears from getting blocked.
Sinus Remedies
Plugged ears due to sinus infection usually last for about a week or so, which could affect your hearing to some extent. However, when there is a sinus infection, it may be best to first get rid of the infection and then use different remedies to unblock the ears.
Most of the home remedies for plugged ears are fairly safe, if they are used in the right manner; however, it is best to consult a doctor, before trying out any of them. This is all the more important for those people who suffer from chronic ear problems.
answered by G R